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How are patients informed about their HIV test results?
Dirk Devroey1, Viviane Van Casteren, André Sasse
1Unit of Epidemiology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels and Department of General Practice, University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
Family Practice
|March 22, 2002
Summary
Communicating HIV test results primarily occurs via phone, reducing delays. However, face-to-face follow-ups are crucial for effective post-test counseling and addressing non-consensual testing concerns.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- HIV and AIDS remain significant public health concerns.
- Limited data exists on HIV test result communication methods and associated delays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how patients receive HIV test results.
- To determine the time delay in communicating HIV test results.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a representative network of sentinel general practitioners (GPs) from 1996-1999.
- Collected data on HIV test requests, risk factors, communication methods, and delays.
Main Results:
- 4807 HIV tests were recorded; 41.9% of results were communicated by phone.
- Anxious patients and those at risk received results via planned follow-ups or phone.
- 61.2% of results were communicated within the first week; earlier communication occurred if patients were anxious or requested the test.
- 2.2% of tests were performed without informed consent, contravening European guidelines.
Conclusions:
- While phone notification reduces delay, face-to-face follow-up is essential for post-test counseling.
- Physicians must be educated on the illegality of non-consensual HIV testing.