Delivery of HIV prevention counseling by physicians at HIV medical care settings in 4 US cities.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated physicians' delivery of HIV prevention counseling to newly diagnosed and established HIV-positive patients.


METHODS
A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 417 HIV physicians in 4 US cities.


RESULTS
Overall, rates of counseling on the part of physicians were low. Physicians reported counseling newly diagnosed patients more than established patients. Factors associated with increased counseling included having sufficient time with patients and familiarity with treatment guidelines. Physicians who perceived their patients to have mental health and substance abuse problems, who served more male patients, and who were infectious disease specialists were less likely to counsel patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention strategies with physicians should be developed to overcome barriers to providing counseling to HIV-positive patients.
Metsch
Lisa R
LR
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. lmetsch@med.miami.edu
Pereyra
Margaret
M
del Rio
Carlos
C
Gardner
Lytt
L
Duffus
Wayne A
WA
Dickinson
Gordon
G
Kerndt
Peter
P
Anderson-Mahoney
Pamela
P
Strathdee
Steffanie A
SA
Greenberg
Alan E
AE
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015142:Baltimore; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D016015:Logistic Models; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D010819:Physician's Role; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*