title: Higher quality communication and relationships are associated with improved patient engagement in HIV care.
abstract: Patient retention in HIV care may be influenced by patient-provider interactions. In an urban, academic HIV clinic, 1363 patients rated the quality of communication and relationships with their providers on 5 domains. We used linear regressions to investigate associations between these 5 domains and appointment adherence. In multivariate analysis, patients kept more appointments if providers treated them with dignity and respect, listened carefully to them, explained in ways they could understand, and knew them as persons. Being involved in decisions was not significantly associated with appointment adherence. Enhancing providers' skills in effective communication and relationship building may improve patient retention in HIV care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. tflicki1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Tabor E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Flickinger
authors.forename: Somnath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Beach
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations