Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Patient perception of whether an HIV test was provided during the emergency department encounter
Naushad M Khakoo1, Christopher J Lindsell1, Kimberly W Hart1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Insights
A small percentage of emergency department patients incorrectly believe they received an HIV test. This misunderstanding can impact future testing and public health data accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Emergency departments (EDs) are critical points for public health interventions, including HIV testing.
- Patient understanding of services rendered is crucial for effective healthcare and accurate health surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess patient comprehension of HIV testing status after an ED visit.
- To identify the prevalence of misperceptions regarding HIV testing in the ED setting.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study surveyed ED patients post-physician disposition.
- Data collection focused on patient recall and understanding of whether an HIV test was administered during their visit.
- Statistical analysis determined the proportion of patients with misperceptions.
Main Results:
- 5.8% of patients erroneously reported receiving an HIV test during their ED encounter.
- This misperception was observed in a diverse patient population (mean age 41, 51% male, 61% Black, 29% without high school degree).
Conclusions:
- A significant minority of ED patients hold false beliefs about receiving HIV tests.
- These misperceptions may lead to reduced subsequent testing, false reassurance, and compromised health surveillance data.
Abstract:
This cross-sectional study approached emergency department (ED) patients after the treating physician's disposition decision to measure patient understanding of whether or not they had received an HIV test during their ED encounter. Of the 300 respondents, 24 were excluded due to missing data or because they had received an ED HIV test. Mean age was 41 years, 51% were men, 61% were black, and 29% had no high school degree. There were 5.8% (95% confidence interval: 3.5%-9.4%) who erroneously reported HIV test delivery during their ED course. Our results suggest a small but significant minority of patients falsely assume that they have been tested for HIV during their ED visit. This misperception could have broad implications, leading to less frequent subsequent testing, false reassurance of HIV-negative status, and inaccuracies in surveillance estimates or surveys that depend on self-report.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...