title: Understanding physicians' decision to perform a clinical examination on an HIV seropositive patient.
abstract: The main purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial factors explaining a physician's decision to perform a clinical (physical) examination of an HIV seropositive patient. Eight hundred seventy-nine physicians completed a questionnaire investigating psychosocial variables derived from the theories of Ajzen and Triandis. The mean intention to perform a clinical examination was quite positive (5.4 on a 7-point scale). The regression of intention on all variables yielded an adjusted R2 of .499. Among few significant predictors, by far the most important was the perceived norm among fellow physicians regarding performance of the clinical examination. It is concluded that educational interventions aimed at the physician population should focus on the social role and personal efficacy of physicians regarding this type of clinical examination rather than giving information concerning the low risk of contracting the HIV.
authors.affiliation: Ecole des sciences infirmières, Université Laval, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duval
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nadeau
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011792:Quebec; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012945:Social Values