title: Surviving an epidemic -- Australian GPs on caring for people with HIV and AIDS in the early years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although general practitioners (GPs) play a central role in responding to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Australia, the social history of their contribution in the early years has remained largely untold.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 GPs who provided HIV care between 1982 and 1996. De-identified transcripts were broadly coded in NVivo, then analysed for themes regarding GP experiences during the early years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants recalled a time of death, fear and prejudice, with large numbers of patients diagnosed with and dying from a highly stigmatised disease. An enduring emotional legacy resulted, with GPs developing survival strategies such as better managing relationships with patients, seeking mental health support and reducing working hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These GPs represent the first generation of GPs in Australia caring for people with HIV. Understanding their experiences can inform and inspire the next generation, who inherit a much brighter future for HIV care.
authors.affiliation: BA (Hons), PhD, is Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Christy E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canavan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Wit
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McMurchie
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kidd
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000266:history*; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000266:history*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged