Table 2.

Characteristics of the Doctor–Patient Relationship

Characteristics	%	Mean (SD)
Doctor–patient gender match: yes	64
Doctor–patient racial match: yes	24
Comfort discussing personal issues*		74.9 (29.4)
Understanding physician's instructions*		80.4 (25.8)
Empathy*		82.4 (23.1)
Patient participation in medical encounter*		76.7 (25.5)
Interest in personal relationships*		47.8 (36.4)
Perception of physician's HIV knowledge†		59.7 (19.0)
Number of appointments with PCP over6 months		5.7 (6.2)‡
Number of appointments with PCP missed over 6 months		1.3 (1.7)§

^*Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicative of more favorable perceptions. The items comprising each composite measure are listed in the Methods section.

^†Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicative of more knowledge.

^‡The median number of appointments with PCP over 6 months was 4.

^§The median number of appointments with PCP missed over 6 months was 1.

PCP indicates primary care physician.