Effect of physician specialty on counseling practices and medical referral patterns among physicians caring for disadvantaged human immunodeficiency virus-infected populations

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Jun 15;36(12):1577-84. doi: 10.1086/375070. Epub 2003 Jun 5.

Abstract

Data regarding the care and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients provided by infectious diseases (ID)-trained physicians, compared with data for care and management provided by other specialists, are limited. Here, we report results of a self-administered survey sent to 317 physicians (response rate, 76%) in 4 metropolitan areas of the United States who were identified as providing care to disadvantaged HIV-infected patients. ID-trained physicians who responded that they strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that they had enough time to care for their HIV-infected patients were more likely than were non-ID-trained physicians to provide therapy-adherence counseling. Physicians with >or=50 patients in care and ID-trained physicians were less likely to always discuss condom use and risk reduction for HIV transmission. Factors significantly associated with referring rather than treating HIV-infected patients with hypertension or diabetes included having <50 patients in care, being an ID-trained physician, and practicing in a private practice. These results suggest the need for targeted physician training on the importance of HIV transmission prevention counseling, increasing the duration of patient visits, and improving strategies for generalist-specialist comanagement of HIV-infected patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Counseling
  • Empathy
  • HIV Infections / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Medicine*
  • Physicians*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Referral and Consultation*
  • Specialization*