Development of a computer-aided for voluntary counseling and test / 中华疾病控制杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective This study aims at developing a computer aid for performing HIV/AIDS counseling and test,so as to standardize VCT operating procedures and help frontline counselors provide high quality VCT service.Methods Rapid prototyping was employed in which primitive VCT standard operation procedure (SOP) and prototype software were generated through literature reviews,counseling case studies and expert panel activities first and then refined through consecutive rounds of piloting at various VCT settings.Results A pragmatic SOP and computer-aid for performing routine VCT services were put forward.It consists of 5 main application modules including performing counseling,making appointment,managing data,developing counseling skill and setting system parameters.Conclusions Our study suggests that standardization and computerization of complex VCT service is feasible and the system we had produced provides a new means for improving the service.