Blogs2 June 2018

I am aware of some social media and mHealth interventions being implemented in Australia, but I had no idea of the enormity of the potential impact, and the range of ways in which these technologies can be used for HIV prevention, management, and improvement in quality of life for people who are HIV positive. It was mind-blowing to hear from one of the presenters that more than 1 billion people are active social media users, and how that reach can be optimised for the benefit of those at risk of or diagnosed with HIV. I found this fascinating, as like many clinicians, I have imagined social media to be helpful, but no idea how it can be harnessed, or whether there is actual evidence for its efficacy.

I think the two capacity building sessions on systemic review and research methodology were extremely useful. They were really fast-paced but covered a lot of information. Sessions were interactive so just made them more interesting.

One can't come to a conference about HIV in Asia and Pacific without appreciating how lucky we are in Australia. It's more than just having the financial resources. We do have a comparatively inclusive society. We do have a good health system. GPs are involved in HIV care which places us well to manage the issues beyond the HIV virus.

Day 2 was certainly jammed packed with many interesting plenary sessions, poster discussions, capacity building sessions and a lively debate. One of the first sessions of the morning centred around the management of HIV advanced disease with Dr Kumarasamy from the YRGCARE Medical Centre in Chennai highlighting current gaps in his region between policy and practice in India.

By Polin Chan, WHO

Polin’s presentation was an important insight into the development of guidelines in general – why they are important, what is included in them, and why we can trust them to direct our clinical practice.

Jose Gatell, Senior Medical Director ViiV Healthcare University of Barcelona, Spain

Jose Gatell’s presentation on the history, current status and future of managing HIV positive patients was a fascinating insight into how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go. Luckily, with an engaging and interactive presentation, he gives us hope that we’ll get there!

Poster 60 - This poster reports on a supervised exercise program on physical health and quality of life in people living with HIV in Hong Kong.

This was a presentation looking at early detection of anal cancer in HIV positive MSM by incorporating digital anal rectal examintations (DARE) into routine HIV care by Jason Ong from Melbourne

This was a session on how to do a systematic review and was well attended. Joe Tucker (USA) and Matthew Law (Australia) conducted this program.

The APACC 2018 began with a Trubute to Prof David Cooper delivered by Dr Phanuphak and Prof Mark Boyd. Mrs Cooper was an invited guest at the meeting.