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Published on: March 30, 2014
Pediatric HIV adherence: an ever-evolving challenge
Jocelyn Childs1, Nancy Cincotta
1Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Insights
Achieving good adherence for children with HIV requires more than just pill taking. A comprehensive approach addressing family biopsychosocial factors and provider-patient relationships is crucial for effective pediatric HIV care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric HIV/AIDS
- Family Medicine
- Social Work in Healthcare
Background:
- Pediatric HIV adherence is often narrowly defined as consistent medication intake.
- Biopsychosocial factors significantly impact adherence within HIV-affected families.
- The complexity of pediatric HIV regimens can challenge patients and providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To expand the definition of adherence in pediatric HIV care.
- To highlight the importance of biopsychosocial factors in pediatric HIV management.
- To present a developmental approach for addressing challenges in pediatric HIV care.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a developmental framework.
- Emphasized the provider-patient-family relationship.
- Described a comprehensive assessment approach.
Main Results:
- A developmental approach can address multiple challenges faced by families.
- Comprehensive assessment is key to understanding adherence barriers.
- Provider-patient-family relationships are central to successful outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Adherence in pediatric HIV requires a holistic, family-centered approach.
- A developmental perspective enhances understanding of adherence complexities.
- Social work expertise is vital in managing pediatric HIV care.
Abstract:
Providers working with children living with HIV strive to achieve "good adherence," often viewed only as consistent pill taking by the infected child. This goal, while important, needs to be expanded with a thorough examination of the many biopsychosocial factors impacting the HIV affected family. The complexity of the issues affecting adherence to a pediatric HIV medical regimen can overwhelm both the practitioner and the patient. By utilizing a developmental framework and emphasizing the critical importance of the relationship between provider, patient and family, the authors (both of whom are social workers who have worked over a period of many years with children and families living with terminal and serious chronic illnesses) describe a developmental approach that includes comprehensive assessment to address the multiple challenges faced by individuals and families they have worked with.
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