title: The initial assessment of the HIV-infected patient.
abstract: The initial assessment of the patient with HIV disease requires clinical staging, identification of HIV-related and nonrelated illness, discussion of specific psychosocial issues, initiation of the process of patient education, and initiation of a sustained partnership between patient and clinician. The clinical content of the assessment depends on knowledgeable history-taking, focused physical examination, and specific laboratory tests. Partnering increases the likelihood of early recognition of important signs and symptoms and the institution of appropriate therapeutic measures. Successful and satisfying clinician-patient relationships help produce better patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, College of Medicine, Brooklyn, New York 11203, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sadovsky
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gillette
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010808:Physical Examination
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents