Browsing by Author "Luxey Sirisegaram"

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    Exploring caregiver experiences and support needs in end-of-life care for people living with HIV: A scoping review protocol
    (Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2024-12-02) Kristina M. Kokorelias; Andrew D. Eaton; Marina Wasilewski; Tyler Redublo; Luxey Sirisegaram; Chukwudi Nnaji
    Background and objectives End-of-life care supports individuals in the last few weeks or months of their life and their caregivers, offering psychosocial support, symptom management and relief, and resources. While some of the first public end-of-life care facilities were established due to HIV/AIDS, the current needs of caregivers for people living with end-stage HIV are not well understood. Caregivers provide two-thirds of the care for people living with HIV, yet their specific support needs and experiences are under-researched. Existing strategies often use a “one-size-fits-all” approach, which may not address the unique challenges faced by these caregivers, such as stigma and lack of social support. This study aims to synthesize the literature on the end-of-life care experiences and needs of caregivers for individuals living with HIV. Research design and methods A scoping review, guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute’s recommendations, will be conducted. An Information Specialist will assist in developing a search strategy to be applied across databases like Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Search results from each database will be imported into Covidence software for duplicate removal and title and abstract screening. Two researchers will independently screen studies using the ‘Population–Concept–Context’ (PCC) framework, with screening conducted at two levels: title and abstract, and full-text. The inclusion criteria will be piloted on a random sample of articles to ensure inter-rater agreement (kappa statistic >0.61). Disagreements will be resolved through discussion or with the involvement of a content expert if needed. Final selections will be reported using the PRISMA flow diagram, and reasons for exclusion will be documented. Discussion and implications The findings from this scoping review will provide valuable insights into the end-of-life care experiences and support needs of caregivers for individuals living with HIV. By identifying common themes and challenges, such as caregiver fatigue, emotional strain, stigma, and lack of social support, this study will underscore the inadequacy of the current “one-size-fits-all” approach in addressing the unique needs of these caregivers. This research has the potential to influence both clinical practice and policy by advocating for more personalized support strategies within end-of-life care settings.
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    Exploring the Perspectives of Older Adults Living With HIV on Virtual Care: Qualitative Study
    (JMIR Publications Inc., 2024-12-04) Kristina M Kokorelias; Dean Valentine; Erica M Dove; Paige Brown; Stuart McKinlay; Christine L Sheppard; Hardeep Singh; Andrew D Eaton; Laura Jamieson; Marina B Wasilewski; Alice Zhabokritsky; Ashley Flanagan; Reham Abdelhalim; Rahel Zewude; Rabea Parpia; Sharon Walmsley; Luxey Sirisegaram
    Background As the population of individuals with HIV ages rapidly due to advancements in antiretroviral therapy, virtual care has become an increasingly vital component in managing their complex health needs. However, little is known about perceptions of care among older adults living with HIV. Objective This study aimed to understand the perceptions of older adults living with HIV regarding care. Methods Using an interpretive, qualitative, descriptive methodology, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 diverse older adults living with HIV. The participants lived in Ontario, Canada, self-identified as HIV-positive, and were aged 50 years or older. Efforts were made to recruit individuals with varying experience with health care. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted with the interview transcripts to identify prevalent themes. Results The identified themes included (1) the importance of relationships in virtual care for older adults living with HIV; (2) privacy and confidentiality in virtual care; and (3) challenges and solutions related to access and technological barriers in virtual care. These themes highlight the perceptions of diverse older adults living with HIV concerning care, emphasizing the fundamental role of trust, privacy, and technology access. Conclusions By embracing the unique perspectives and experiences of this population, we can work toward building more inclusive and responsive health care systems that meet the needs of all individuals, regardless of age, HIV status, or other intersecting identities.