Abstract
In a study of 263 homosexual men positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), it was found that 87% were registered with a general practitioner and of these, 55% said that the general practitioner knew their HIV status. Of the 104 men who had experienced symptoms, 39% had consulted the general practitioner for HIV-related advice. A total of 49% of those who were not registered used a specialist outpatient clinic for all their medical needs. Of those who were registered and whose general practitioner was aware of their HIV status but who did not consult their doctor, 72% used a specialist outpatient clinic. Reasons for not consulting the general practitioner included fears of breach of confidentiality and lack of confidence in the general practitioner's understanding of HIV. Fifteen per cent of the sample continued to see a general practitioner who was unaware of their HIV status, for non-HIV related advice. The needs of patients must be taken into account when planning more integrated hospital and community care for those with HIV infection or the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Adler M. W. Care for patients with HIV infection and AIDS. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987 Jul 4;295(6589):27–30. doi: 10.1136/bmj.295.6589.27. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Anderson P., Mayon-White R. General practitioners and management of infection with HIV. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1988 Feb 20;296(6621):535–537. doi: 10.1136/bmj.296.6621.535. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Boyton R., Scambler G. Survey of general practitioners' attitudes to AIDS in the North West Thames and East Anglian regions. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1988 Feb 20;296(6621):538–540. doi: 10.1136/bmj.296.6621.538. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Helbert M. AIDS and medical confidentiality. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987 Aug 29;295(6597):552–552. doi: 10.1136/bmj.295.6597.552. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- King M. B. AIDS and the general practitioner: views of patients with HIV infection and AIDS. BMJ. 1988 Jul 16;297(6642):182–184. doi: 10.1136/bmj.297.6642.182. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mansfield S. J., Singh S. The general practitioner and human immunodeficiency virus infection: an insight into patients' attitudes. J R Coll Gen Pract. 1989 Mar;39(320):104–105. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McCann K. The work of a specialist AIDS home support team: the views and experiences of patients using the service. J Adv Nurs. 1991 Jul;16(7):832–836. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.1991.tb01764.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Milne R. I., Keen S. M. Are general practitioners ready to prevent the spread of HIV? Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1988 Feb 20;296(6621):533–535. doi: 10.1136/bmj.296.6621.533. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Parisi A., Di Perri G., Strosselli M., Nappi G., Minoli L., Rondanelli E. G. Usefulness of computerized electroencephalography in diagnosing, staging and monitoring AIDS-dementia complex. AIDS. 1989 Apr;3(4):209–213. doi: 10.1097/00002030-198904000-00003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Roderick P., Victor C. R., Beardow R. Developing care in the community: GPs and the HIV epidemic. AIDS Care. 1990;2(2):127–132. doi: 10.1080/09540129008257723. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Shapiro J. A. General practitioners' attitudes towards AIDS and their perceived information needs. BMJ. 1989 Jun 10;298(6687):1563–1566. doi: 10.1136/bmj.298.6687.1563. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Smits A., Mansfield S., Singh S. Facilitating care of patients with HIV infection by hospital and primary care teams. BMJ. 1990 Jan 27;300(6719):241–243. doi: 10.1136/bmj.300.6719.241. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]