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Discover how healthcare providers can use PozQoL to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV

PozQoL empowers clinicians to measure and monitor the quality of life (QoL) of people living with HIV (PLHIV). By integrating PozQoL into routine care, clinicians can uncover valuable insights, strengthen patient-centred approaches, and enhance overall service delivery.

This 13-item tool is designed for fast-paced clinical environments, making it an effective way to move beyond clinical metrics like viral suppression and address the broader wellbeing of PLHIV.

Why use PozQoL in clinical services

PozQoL enables healthcare providers to make quality of life a core component of HIV care. Clinicians who use PozQoL have found that it helps them balance efficient care delivery with deeper patient engagement.

Some benefits of using PozQoL include:

• Uncovering hidden insights: PozQoL helps uncover patient challenges, such as stigma, mental health struggles, or barriers to independence, that might otherwise go unnoticed in routine consultations
• Supporting holistic, person-centred care: By focusing on psychological wellbeing, social support, health concerns, and functional independence, PozQoL enables clinicians to look beyond clinical outcomes like viral suppression
• Facilitating meaningful discussions: PozQoL scores provide a structured way to engage patients in discussions about their experiences and priorities, building trust and fostering collaboration
• Informing service improvements: Aggregate data from PozQoL scores can help clinics evaluate service effectiveness, identify gaps, and advocate for additional resources
• Improving service outcomes: Use evidence-based insights to inform individual care and broader service planning

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How to use PozQoL in clinical services

This information is based on conversations with clinicians who have integrated PozQoL into their work. It reflects the challenges they encountered and the practical solutions they found most useful.

ℹ️ You can also, check out our guidance on using PozQoL for more general information.

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When to use PozQoL

The timing and approach to administering PozQoL depend on your goals and the needs of each patient:

• Survey frequency: Avoid asking patients to complete PozQoL too often, as this can lead to survey fatigue. Assess QoL every 6–12 months unless there are specific reasons for closer monitoring.
• Previous surveys: Ask whether the patient has already completed PozQoL at another service. If so, encourage them to bring their results to share.
• Address accessibility needs:
  • Literacy support: For English speakers with lower literacy, offer guidance or assistance to help them complete the survey.
  • Language needs: Provide PozQoL in the patient’s preferred language where possible, or arrange for a translator to assist with completion in English.
• Ensure consultation readiness: Only administer PozQoL if you have time in the consultation to review and address any concerns raised by the results.

ℹ️ Refer to our information on administering PozQoL for general advice and best practices »

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How to use PozQoL to understand the needs of people living with HIV

PozQoL scores can help you identify and address specific challenges your patients are facing.

• Overall score: Reflects general wellbeing
• Domain scores: Focus on specific aspects such as psychological wellbeing, social connections, health concerns, and daily functioning

As a general rule of thumb, an average overall or domain score of 3 or higher suggests moderate-to-good QoL, while lower scores may indicate areas needing attention.

You can refer to PozQoL scores during a consultation:

1. Review scores with patients: Discuss results and focus on what matters most to them
2. Ask follow-up questions: “I noticed your functional domain score is lower. Are you facing challenges with work or daily activities?”
3. Develop care plans together: Focus on achievable goals or arrange appropriate referrals

ℹ️ For more on:

• What PozQoL scores mean, see our information on interpreting scores »
• How to address domain-specific challenges, see our information on using PozQoL scores »

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How to use PozQoL to improve services

PozQoL helps not only with individual care but also with enhancing service delivery:

• Identify trends: Aggregate scores across patients to uncover common challenges, such as mental health concerns or stigma
• Evaluate interventions: Monitor changes in QoL to measure the success of treatments or programs
• Plan better services:
  • Use trends to refine existing programs or advocate for resources
  • Example: If functional domain scores are consistently low, consider introducing employment or financial support programs

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Help! Someone has presented with a completed PozQoL scale

If you’re new to PozQoL and a patient brings a PozQoL survey to their appointment, here’s what to do:

1️⃣ Calculate scores (if needed)

• Use ViiV Healthcare’s Digital tool

2️⃣ Understand the scores

• Scores 4 or above indicate good or very good quality of life
• Scores around 3 indicate moderate quality of life — ‘okay’ but with room for improvement
• Scores below 3 indicate that additional support is needed

3️⃣ Take action

• Ask questions: “I noticed this score is low. Can we talk about what’s been challenging for you?”
• Refer or support: Suggest services such as peer groups, counselling, or financial assistance programs:
  • Check the using PozQoL scores table for recommended actions and referral options tailored to different domains
  • Use ViiV Healthcare’s next steps card to help plan and track the patient’s follow-up steps, including supports discussed during the appointment

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🟡 PozQoL stories from clinical settings

Discover real-world examples of how PozQoL is being used in clinical services. These stories showcase how healthcare teams are using PozQoL to improve care and enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV.

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Quick links: Tools and resources for healthcare workers using PozQoL