Physicians and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. What patients think about human immunodeficiency virus in medical practice

Abstract

Are patients concerned about going to a physician who is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or one who is treating HIV-infected patients? To answer these questions, we surveyed a nationwide sample of 2000 interviews (response rate, 75%). Forty-five percent of all respondents believed that physicians who were HIV infected should not be allowed to continue to practice. More than half of those who had seen a physician in the past 5 years said they would change physicians if they knew their physician were HIV infected, while one fourth said they would seek care elsewhere if their physician were treating people with HIV disease. These data suggest that patients are concerned about HIV in their physicians' offices. The American Medical Association recommends that HIV-infected physicians continue to practice as long as there is no risk to their patients. Physicians and the public need to be educated about this policy and its appropriateness.

KIE: The authors surveyed a nationwide sample of 2,000 Americans to assess public concern about AIDS in physicians' offices. Forty-five percent of all respondents believed that HIV-positive doctors should not be allowed to practice, although only 33% believed that it was very or somewhat likely that they could get AIDS from an infected physician. Many respondents who had seen a doctor within the last five years said that they would switch physicians if their doctor was infected with HIV or was treating HIV-infected patients. Gerbert, et al. conclude that their data is troubling for HIV-infected doctors. They urge physicians to begin to educate the public about the safety of doctors' offices, and to reassure patients that the medical profession is policing itself concerning physicians with HIV infection.