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PozQoL is the most commonly used PLHIV HRQoL scale in Australia.
As PozQoL use continues to grow across Australia, it’s not just the most commonly used health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scale for people living with HIV (PLHIV) — it’s become an essential tool for peer-led organisations and healthcare providers alike. From measuring the effectiveness of community programs to guiding person-centred care, PozQoL is reshaping how PLHIV QoL is understood and improved.
Expanding across clinical services
PozQoL has been embraced by prominent Victorian healthcare providers, such as Alfred HIV Services and Monash Health, to prioritise person-centred care. Additionally, Prahran Market, a high-caseload HIV GP clinic, is also joining this movement. Ongoing discussions with Royal Melbourne Hospital and other HIV services indicate a wider adoption of PozQoL in clinical services throughout the state.
In New South Wales (NSW), Western Sydney Sexual Health and Taylor Square Private Clinic are incorporating PozQoL into their services. There’s also momentum building, with Sydney Sexual Health and the Albion Centre also exploring its implementation. This growing interest shows that PozQoL is becoming the standard in QoL measurement for PLHIV in NSW.
In Queensland, Gladstone Street Medical Centre started using PozQoL in 2024, recognising its potential to better support their patients living with HIV. Meanwhile, in Western Australia, plans are in motion at Royal Perth Hospital, making PozQoL a national movement in Australia’s healthcare sector.
Adoption by community and peer organisations
But the reach of PozQoL isn’t limited to clinical settings. Community and peer organisations were among the earliest adopters, using PozQoL to track and improve outcomes in peer and community support programs.
Living Positive Victoria and Bolton Clarke have been long-time users, with PozQoL embedded in their services since 2022 and 2020, respectively. Soon, Thorne Harbour Health is expected to integrate it into their community and peer support offerings, further deepening community-level impact.
In NSW, Positive Life NSW has embraced PozQoL since 2022, while the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, having initially adopted the scale in 2020, is set to roll it out in a new Western Sydney program in 2024. ACON, another key community organisation, has also been using PozQoL since 2020, helping to ensure their programs are truly meeting the needs of PLHIV.
Queensland Positive People have been leading the way in their state since 2022, while WAAC in Western Australia joined the ranks in 2023. At a national level, the National Association of People Living with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) has also integrated PozQoL into their peer navigator training, underscoring its importance across peer networks throughout the country.
PozQoL’s role in research and national strategy
PozQoL’s influence also extends into the research space. It plays a key role in the HIV Futures study, a national survey that tracks the QoL of PLHIV in Australia. The data gathered from this study informs the Australian National HIV Strategy, ensuring that PLHIV QoL is a central consideration in policy and program development. The scale’s integration into such a critical study highlights its credibility and value in shaping both research and practice.
Additionally, the Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) promotes PozQoL as a key tool for clinicians to assess and improve the quality of life of PLHIV. This endorsement further solidifies PozQoL’s position as a trusted resource within the medical and community sectors.
PozQoL: A growing movement in enhancing QoL for PLHIV in Australia
This rapid and widespread adoption of PozQoL reflects not just the tool’s credibility, but its relevance in addressing the real, lived experiences of PLHIV. As more organisations and services recognise its value, PozQoL is becoming indispensable in shaping services that truly enhance QoL.
PozQoL stories from Australian services and research
To learn more about how PozQoL is making a difference across Australia, explore stories shared by Australian healthcare providers, community organisations, and researchers below.
You can also discover more practical insights and real-world examples of PozQoL in action around the world in our PozQoL stories section.
This story was originally published on 11 September 2020 under the title ‘PozQoL is the most commonly used PLHIV HRQoL scale in Australia’. It has been updated to reflect new developments.
