HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy are very involved in
engaging with their healthcare providers in the management of their HIV
a new survey shows. The results were published in the Wall Street Journal and noted
that 300 people living with HIV were surveyed online from across the country
and 97% said that they are proactive about managing their HIV condition,
including drug treatment.
Three out of four participants did say they would like to
spend more time discussing their concerns with their doctor – specifically HIV
drug treatment and the impact of HIV on their lives. The survey also showed
that most respondents were active about managing their HIV, from scheduling
doctor appointments to discussing treatment options with their doctor and
researching HIV topics.
“The results of this survey are very encouraging, however
they underscore the need for more in-depth discussions between people living
with HIV and their doctors - not only regarding their treatment regimens, but
also how the disease is affecting their lives overall," said Dr. Michael
Gottlieb, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of
Medicine, UCLA. "Communication between healthcare providers and patients
is the cornerstone of developing and maintaining a successful HIV treatment
plan."
Some of the topics patients would like to discuss include:
how their current HIV drug treatment regimen is working, other HIV treatment
options, health conditions other than HIV and side effects of their current HIV
medicine.
People living with HIV and taking antiretroviral medications
are encouraged to speak with their doctor about HIV and their concerns.
Preparing topics and questions ahead of an appointment and prioritizing those
questions can be useful tools to improve communication with your doctor.
