title: Physician-patient relationships, patient satisfaction, and antiretroviral medication Adherence among HIV-infected adults attending a public health clinic.
abstract: The goal of this project was to explore the connections between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients adherence to antiretroviral medication treatment regimens and their beliefs about and satisfaction with their primary care physicians. In-depth interviews were conducted with 28 HIV-positive patients. Results showed that most patients were extremely satisfied with their current primary care physicians. When patients were dissatisfied with their care, it was often because there was a mismatch between the patient's expectations of care and the physician's consultation style. Results also showed that good quality physician-patient relationships tended to promote adherence while lesser quality relationships impeded it. Findings suggest that strengthening and promoting the bonds between physicians and HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients should be an absolute priority, at both the interpersonal level of physician-patient interactions but also at the organizational level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1551, USA. kathleen-j-roberts@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kathleen Johnston
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012495:San Francisco
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents