HIV telehealth: framing the dialog and debate for reaching community consensus

Telehealth is a promising innovation in HIV care and services. It holds promise to leverage health information technology, (HIT), for expanding the benefits of treatment to underserved groups and Persons Living With HIV/AIDS, (PLWHA) dwelling in remote areas. The exploration of telehealth service structure, processes and effects is a useful starting point for clarifying expectations and setting benchmarks. Northeast Florida Ryan White network is in an early stage of telemedicine development and implementation. Learning from others is key to the design of effective telehealth services. Outlined here are essential tenets for framing consensus regarding the delivery, oversight, and evaluation of teleservices in Jacksonville, Florida. Multiple stakeholders are vested in the implementation of telehealth. Health services policy can inform the evolution of HIV teleservices in Northeast Florida and elsewhere.