Urban private practitioners: potential partners in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS.
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-118484
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The private medical sector is an important source of healthcare in India. Increasingly, concerns have been raised about its role in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. Evidence about private practitioners' existing management practices will help to create policies addressing this sector.METHODS:
A central urban area of Pune city was selected for its high density of healthcare facilities. Private practitioners in the area were interviewed using a structured interview schedule. Based on a 1-year recall period, the schedule covered different aspects of the practitioners' HIV/AIDS management practices including diagnosis, treatment and referral.RESULTS:
Of the 215 practitioners interviewed, 66% had tested and diagnosed HIV infection. Fifty-four per cent had been consulted by HIV-infected clients 'shopping' for alternative diagnoses or treatment. Overall, 75% of the respondents had been consulted by HIV-infected clients for treatment. Of these, 14% had prescribed antiretroviral drugs, sometimes without adequate knowledge of the guidelines for their use. Other supportive and symptomatic treatments were also frequently prescribed. Private practitioners commonly referred HIV-infected clients for management to other private doctors, or to public hospitals. There were variations in respondents' practices by sex and system of medicine.CONCLUSION:
Private practitioners are actively involved in diagnosing and managing patients with HIV/AIDS. Some of their management practices are inappropriate and need to be remedied. There are also concerns about gaps in the continuity of care of HIV-infected persons, for which networks between providers need to be strengthened. Public-private partnerships must be created to improve the flow of information to private practitioners, and Include them in the national health framework.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Physician's Role
/
Referral and Consultation
/
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Chi-Square Distribution
/
HIV Infections
/
Urban Health
/
Interviews as Topic
Type of study:
Practice guideline
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Language:
English
Year:
2005
Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS