Physicians and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: what patients think about human immunodeficiency virus in medical practice

Article Abstract:

A nationwide survey of 2,000 patients, with a response rate of 75 percent, elicited opinions on HIV infection. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus generally held to be responsible for AIDS. The patients' level of concern with physicians who tested positive themselves, or who treated others with HIV infection was considered. The overall results indicated that there is a significant level of concern by patients regarding HIV in their doctor's office. The number of patients who either have AIDS or test positive for HIV is increasing rapidly in the United States. It is estimated that one third of all doctors in family practice and two-thirds of all internists have treated someone with AIDS. The number of those with HIV infection that are treated is estimated to be much higher. Currently, the position of the American Medical Association (AMA) is that physicians who test HIV-positive may continue to practice so long as there remains no risk to their patients. In contrast, only 45 percent of the patients surveyed believed that HIV-positive doctors should continue to practice medicine. Of those surveyed who had seen a doctor within the past five years, 56 percent would not use a doctor if they knew he had tested HIV-positive. Another 25 percent said they would not go to a doctor who treated HIV-positive patients. A significant number of those polled felt that an individual's right to confidentiality and his right to employment in certain areas should be limited if he tests HIV-positive. A recommendation arising from this survey is that clearer communication to the public by the AMA regarding their policy should be pursued, along with a possible re-evaluation of this policy.

Evaluation, Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations, American Medical Association

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Physicians and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a reply to patients

Article Abstract:

The responses to a questionnaire regarding patient attitudes towards physicians who test positive for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) have been evaluated. There exists a great need for the education of the public in this area. The survey indicates that patient attitudes, based on their response to certain questions, did not reflect knowledge of the facts as they are currently known regarding this virus. Specifically, it is recommended that the public become more familiar with the means of transmission of the disease and with the methods that have been developed by the medical profession to protect patients. Current AMA policy states that in cases where a physician has become HIV-infected, he shall consult with his own doctor to determine if there is any risk to his patients in normal physician-patient contact. As long as no risk to the patient may be discerned, it is recommended that the physician continue his practice. He should be under no obligation to make public his condition or to disclose his condition to individual patients. The rights to confidentiality and employment have been adopted as guidelines for use with the general population. If it is determined that no risk is present to the patient, there is no reason to deny physicians their basic civil liberties or to apply different standards to medical professionals.

Disease transmission, Medical personnel and patient, Medical personnel-patient relations, editorial

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Primary care physicians and AIDS: attitudinal and structural barriers to care

Article Abstract:

A survey of 1,121 primary care physicians found that many were reluctant to care for HIV-infected patients even though they felt it was their responsibility to do so. Seventy-five percent of the physicians had cared for at least one HIV-infected patient. Sixty-eight percent believed it was their responsibility to treat AIDS patients, but 50% preferred not to treat them. Thirty-five percent were uncomfortable treating homosexuals and 55% did not want to treat intravenous drug users. Eighty-three percent believed that they needed more information on AIDS. Physicians who treated a larger number of AIDS patients had a more positive attitude toward homosexuals and intravenous drug users and toward patients in general.

Care and treatment, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, AIDS patients, HIV patients, Physicians (General practice), General practitioners

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