Socioculturally Appropriate Internet-Based Geriatric Care Model for Older Adults Living With HIV: Experience-Based...

Older adults living with HIV face challenges accessing regular geriatric care, and while virtual care services could offer a solution, they may come with limitations.

This study aimed to co-design a culturally appropriate virtual care model tailored to older adults' needs using the experience-based co-design methodology.

We used a qualitative, experience-based co-design approach with 19 older adults living with HIV. The process involved 3 phases: identifying needs through interviews and questionnaires, codeveloping a care model prototype through focus groups and a workshop, and refining the model using feedback from a world café format. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.

The co-design process led to a virtual care model prototype that directly addressed participants' key needs. These included personalized communication methods, simplified technology interfaces for easier access, and culturally responsive care practices. Participants emphasized the importance of privacy in virtual consultations, flexible scheduling to accommodate health fluctuations, and ongoing support for managing both HIV and aging-related conditions. Their feedback shaped a model designed to bridge service gaps, offering a more inclusive, accessible, and patient-centered approach to virtual geriatric care.

This study co-designed a potential virtual geriatric care model grounded in the experiences of older adults living with HIV. By integrating participants' insights throughout the design process, the model offers a promising approach to improving care for this vulnerable population. Future directions for research to test this model are proposed.