Doctors' Communication with HIV Patients About Medication Adherence
Author Information
Author(s): Barfod Toke S, Hecht Frederick M, Rubow Cecilie, Gerstoft Jan
Primary Institution: Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hypothesis
How do physicians communicate with patients about adherence to HIV medication?
Conclusion
Communication difficulties were a main barrier in physicians' work with patients' adherence to HIV medication.
Supporting Evidence
- Physicians often felt awkward discussing adherence if there were no signs of treatment failure.
- Communication patterns were similar in both San Francisco and Copenhagen.
- Physicians suspected non-adherence even when patients did not admit to missing doses.
- Physicians' perceptions of adherence, awkwardness, and believability influenced their communication strategies.
Takeaway
Doctors sometimes find it hard to talk to patients about taking their HIV medicine. They want to help, but they worry about making patients feel bad if they missed doses.
Methodology
Qualitative, cross-sectional study using Grounded Theory; included observations and semi-structured interviews with physicians.
Potential Biases
Observation may have influenced physicians' focus on adherence, potentially making consultations more awkward.
Limitations
The analytical model cannot be interpreted as validated fact and the descriptive aspects cannot be generalized to other settings.
Participant Demographics
Physicians from HIV clinics in San Francisco (16) and Copenhagen (18); included both genders and various specialties.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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