Urban private practitioners: potential partners in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS.

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dc.contributor.authorSheikh, Kabiren_US
dc.contributor.authorRangan, Sheelaen_US
dc.contributor.authorDeshmukh, Deepalien_US
dc.contributor.authorDholakia, Yatinen_US
dc.contributor.authorPorter, Johnen_US
dc.date.accessioned2005-01-20en_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-03T05:36:29Z
dc.date.available2005-01-20en_US
dc.date.available2009-06-03T05:36:29Z
dc.date.issued2005-01-20en_US
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: The private medical sector is an important source of healthcare in India. Increasingly, concerns have been raised about its role in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. Evidence about private practitioners' existing management practices will help to create policies addressing this sector. METHODS: A central urban area of Pune city was selected for its high density of healthcare facilities. Private practitioners in the area were interviewed using a structured interview schedule. Based on a 1-year recall period, the schedule covered different aspects of the practitioners' HIV/AIDS management practices including diagnosis, treatment and referral. RESULTS: Of the 215 practitioners interviewed, 66% had tested and diagnosed HIV infection. Fifty-four per cent had been consulted by HIV-infected clients 'shopping' for alternative diagnoses or treatment. Overall, 75% of the respondents had been consulted by HIV-infected clients for treatment. Of these, 14% had prescribed antiretroviral drugs, sometimes without adequate knowledge of the guidelines for their use. Other supportive and symptomatic treatments were also frequently prescribed. Private practitioners commonly referred HIV-infected clients for management to other private doctors, or to public hospitals. There were variations in respondents' practices by sex and system of medicine. CONCLUSION: Private practitioners are actively involved in diagnosing and managing patients with HIV/AIDS. Some of their management practices are inappropriate and need to be remedied. There are also concerns about gaps in the continuity of care of HIV-infected persons, for which networks between providers need to be strengthened. Public-private partnerships must be created to improve the flow of information to private practitioners, and Include them in the national health framework.en_US
dc.description.affiliationCentre for Health Research and Development, Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences, 64/5, Anand Park, Aundh, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSheikh K, Rangan S, Deshmukh D, Dholakia Y, Porter J. Urban private practitioners: potential partners in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. National Medical Journal of India. 2005 Jan-Feb; 18(1): 32-6en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/118484
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.source.urihttps://www.nmji.inen_US
dc.subject.meshAnti-HIV Agents --administration & dosageen_US
dc.subject.meshChi-Square Distributionen_US
dc.subject.meshFemaleen_US
dc.subject.meshHIV Infections --diagnosisen_US
dc.subject.meshHumansen_US
dc.subject.meshInterviews as Topicen_US
dc.subject.meshMaleen_US
dc.subject.meshPhysician's Practice Patterns --statistics & numerical dataen_US
dc.subject.meshPhysician's Roleen_US
dc.subject.meshPrivate Sectoren_US
dc.subject.meshReferral and Consultationen_US
dc.subject.meshUrban Healthen_US
dc.titleUrban private practitioners: potential partners in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS.en_US
dc.typeJournal Articleen_US
dc.typeResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'ten_US
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