Telling patients about the diagnosis of HIV infection

J Gen Intern Med. 1996 Aug;11(8):494-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02599047.

Abstract

This study used a questionnaire to examine how patients in the HIV/AIDS Clinic at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital were told of their diagnosis, by whom, and to what degree they were given emotional and educational support. Nearly 17% of patients were informed by someone not in the health professions (often military personnel), and 27% of patients were notified in a nonprivate setting. Forty-seven percent indicated they received little or no educational support at the time of diagnosis, while 39% received little or no emotional support. Educational and emotional support for patients at the time of HIV diagnosis may be lacking.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Truth Disclosure*