The Problem of Relationships between Doctor and HIV-Infected Patient

This paper presents the foreign literature review on the relationships between doctor and patient as a psycho-social factor affecting the various HIV treatment and care outcomes. While some researchers have found an association between the "patient-provider" relationships and missed clinic visits, following the medical advice (adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy), some diagnostic services’ utilization and the length of hospitalizations, the other researchers did not find such evidences. In general, "patient-provider" relationships research involves methodological difficulties, such as the accuracy and validity of the scales used; it indicates the need for further theoretical and empirical research in this field. The article may be of interest to researchers in the fields of sociology and social psychology of health, practitioners and also specialists developing prevention programs for people living with HIV.

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