Perspectives of chronic disease management among persons with HIV: A qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction: Persons with HIV (PWH) are living to advanced age as a result of ART. These epidemiological changes highlight the importance of innovating chronic care delivery of PWH, but there is limited research regarding patient preferences for chronic care delivery. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews of 20 PWH who receive care at the Duke Infectious Diseases Clinic. Manuscript was coded and we used thematic analysis to identify emerging themes from interviewees’ responses. Results: Insights of the interviews revealed a strong affinity of PWH with their HIV providers and a reliance on them for primary care as a result. Participants also expressed a strong preference for receiving NCD care from a single provider, regardless of their current chronic disease care configuration. Participants also stated a willingness to embrace new roles of non-provider HIV clinic staff in their chronic disease care. Conclusion: Overall, persons living with HIV prefer consolidation and co-location of their care, and are willing to endure minor inconveniences to accommodate this preference. Efforts towards promoting primary care integration into HIV clinics are warranted.