The attitudes, experiences and needs of private practioners in the Kingston Metropolitan area in relation to HIV-infected patients - abstract

ABSTRACT

A questionnaire survey of 83 private practioners in the Kingston Metropolitan area (representing 20 percent of practioners in the area) showed that, in the past 5 years, 51(61 percent) had established 185 doctor-patient relationships with suspected and confirmed HIV/AIDS patients. Only 77 percent of the 108 confirmed cases were reported to the Ministry of Health, suggesting a need to better integrate the private practitioners into the notification system. There was a disparity between the number of practitioners who were willing to do HIV testing (50; 60 percent) and those willing to do the necessary counselling (30; 36 percent). Deep reservations were felt, such that only 24 percent were willing to maintain a therapeutic relationship with an HIV-infected patient. Three of the 4 reservations expressed could be partially alleviated by an educational programme aimed at the private practitioners and their support staff; 75 percent of the practitioners were desirous of a consistent referral system for further care. The establishment of an HIV/AIDS research/treatment centre may answer this need through a supporting role to co-ordinate an islandwide programme for the medical, social and legal management of HIV-infected patients. (AU)