We investigated the utility and the pattern of use of the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS), an Internet based consumer health informatics system for people living with HIV/AIDS. Eight patients utilized CHESS for 4 months. The total number of log-ins ranged between 1 and 93 (median 21), with a median of 4.6 per month (0.2–21.8). Discussions Group was the service most frequently accessed; the Referral Directory and Fat Assessment services were requested the least. The barriers to using CHESS were difficulty in using the laptop, being too busy, and the discussion group size being too small. Most participants agreed that CHESS was easy to use and helped them cope with and understand more about their disease. They also felt comfortable asking questions and felt more involved in their health care.
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This work was in part supported by a grant from the Minnesota State Department of Health.
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Temesgen, Z., Knappe-Langworthy, J.E., Marie, M.M.S. et al. Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) for People with HIV Infection. AIDS Behav 10, 35–40 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-005-9026-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-005-9026-x