Self-reported HIV and AIDS experience, practices, and knowledge of Pennsylvania family physicians

Abstract

Background: Patients with disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), while still more commonly treated in urban settings, are being seen in nonurban areas in numbers rapidly outstripping the local availability of specialists with expertise in HIV or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Methods: A questionnaire designed to measure self-assessed experience, practices, and knowledge regarding basic aspects of HIV was mailed in 1989 to the 2177 members of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians.

Results: The response rate was 72 percent. Approximately 95 percent of physicians surveyed had been asked questions by patients about AIDS, 30 percent had a patient with a confirmed positive blood test, and 27 percent had a patient with symptomatic HIV disease in their practice.

Conclusions: Although most family physicians indicated that they were comfortable in recognizing persons at risk, counseling, and using tests to diagnose HIV and AIDS, more than one-half reported practice patterns at variance with published guidelines. Respondents were most uncomfortable with their knowledge and skills regarding legal issues, state and community resources, and caring for patients with AIDS. Continuing medical education courses at local hospitals and written materials were the two methods of AIDS education most likely to be used by respondents.