HIV-infected patients: a primary care challenge.
Ambulatory management of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is rapidly becoming a necessity for both financial and staffing reasons. Many primary care physicians are anxious about providing care for these patients, perhaps because of inadequate clinical training or because of perceptions of personal and employee risk. The willingness of physicians to care for HIV-infected patients may be increased by the clarification of issues of risk and the institution of effective, ongoing physician education programs. It is also important for physicians to understand their own anxieties and emotions. Because medicine is viewed as a profession that provides care for all segments of the population, physicians have an obligation to accept an appropriate level of risk in caring for HIV-infected patients.
Sadovsky
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Department of Family Practice, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001007:Anxiety; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States