Prevention of HIV infection in primary care: current practices, future possibilities

More than a decade has passed since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic began; our failure to develop an effective vaccine and adequate medical treatments indicates that future research and practice must work to prevent the spread of HIV. We review the literature on the current HIV-prevention practices of primary care physicians and highlight opportunities for clinical prevention. Prevention is hindered in four ways: 1) by narrow conceptions of medical care and of the role of the physician; 2) by physicians' discomfort with discussing human sexuality and illicit drug use and their attitudes toward persons with HIV or AIDS; 3) by constraints on time and resources; and 4) by the ambiguity of HIV prevention messages. We suggest strategies to overcome these barriers, including modifications in public policy, health care delivery systems, and medical education. These strategies support a nonhierarchical physician-patient relationship, with attention to culture and values, that will help physicians to identify and work with persons at increased risk for HIV infection.