title: Effects of empowerment among HIV-positive women on the patient-provider relationship.
abstract: An assessment of the effects of HIV/AIDS patients' empowered behaviours on the patient-provider relationship was undertaken. Participants were 50 HIV-positive women ranging in age from 23 to 48 years, with 60% of the sample African American, 24% Latina, 6% White and 10% mixed/other race. Descriptive and canonical correlation analyses were used to investigate the interrelationships between patients' empowered behaviours and self-reported interactions with their providers. Positive associations were noted between patients' medical decision-making involvement and patient-provider interactions. Patients reporting greater decision-making involvement, had higher levels of communication with their providers, and received more information and positive affect from their providers. Health care providers of HIV-positive women are encouraged to cultivate empowered behaviours in their patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations