The involvement of general practitioners in the care of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: current practice and future implications
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J Sheldon1, E Murray, A Johnson
1University College London Medical School, Department of Primary Health Care, Whittington Hospital, UK.
Insights
Many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients see their general practitioner (GP), but rarely for HIV-related issues. Over half of patients expressed interest in shared care, indicating potential for greater GP involvement in HIV management.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- General Practice
Background:
- Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection often receive care from specialist clinics.
- The role and awareness of general practitioners (GPs) in managing HIV-positive patients require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current utilization of general practitioner (GP) services by HIV-infected patients.
- To determine the interest of HIV-positive individuals in a shared care model involving their GP and specialist HIV clinics.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was administered to 203 HIV-positive men attending a central London teaching hospital's HIV outpatient clinic.
- Data collected included patient demographics, GP registration status, GP awareness of HIV diagnosis, GP contact frequency, and interest in shared care.
Main Results:
- 85% of patients were registered with a GP; 67% of these GPs were aware of the HIV diagnosis.
- 73% of patients visited their GP in the past year, but only 27% did so for HIV-related reasons; 19% had a GP actively involved in HIV care.
- 51% of patients expressed interest in shared care between their specialist clinic and GP.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of HIV patients utilize GP services, though typically not for HIV-specific concerns.
- There is considerable patient interest in shared care, suggesting a potential for enhanced GP involvement in comprehensive HIV management.
Abstract:
The objective was to determine the current use of their general practitioner (GP) by patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and whether such patients would be interested in having 'shared care' between a specialist HIV clinic and their GP. A questionnaire was administered to 203 HIV-positive men attending the HIV outpatient clinic of a central London teaching hospital. The main outcome measures were patient characteristics, numbers of patients registered with a GP, numbers of patients with a GP aware of their diagnosis, contacts with the GP in the last year and level of interest and shared care. Eighty-five per cent of patients were registered with a GP of whom 67% knew of the diagnosis. Those diagnosed for more than 2 years were significantly more likely to have an informed GP. A total of 73% of those registered had visited their GP in the previous year although only 27% had visited for an HIV-related problem. Only 19% had a GP actively involved in their HIV care. In all 51% of the patients indicated an interest in having shared care between the clinic and their GP. A high proportion of HIV patients are registered with and attend a GP although they rarely consult for HIV-related problems. A significant proportion of patients expressed interest in having shared care suggesting that there is the potential for increased GP involvement in the care of patients with HIV infection.