Document 2137
 DOCN  M94A2137
 TI    415 general practitioners (GP) in a regional French area facing HIV
       epidemy.
 DT    9412
 AU    May T; Rabaud C; Amiel C; Vicherat N; Canton P; Service de Maladies
       Infectieuses et Tropicales, CHU Nancy,; France.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):372 (abstract no. PD0094). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370438
 AB    In January 1993, a questionnaire was distributed to 749 GP of Lorraine
       (North-East of France; global population = 2 millions; GP population =
       2247; AIDS population = 245). The aim of the study was to record the
       present and future role of GP in the management of HIV+ patients. This
       study represents one of the most important national survey ever done
       since 415 GP answered (55.5%). MANAGEMENT OF HIV+ PATIENTS: 45% of the
       responders follow one or more HIV infected patients. Only 2.5% are
       responsible for 40% of HIV+ patients. PATIENTS INFORMATION: 83% of the
       GP regulary deliver informations on AIDS to their uninfected patients,
       without any specific request from them in 62% of the cases. This
       information is preferentially addressed to young adults, patients with
       sexually transmitted diseases, request for contraception. HIV screening
       test: 411 GP (99%) have prescribed HIV serology. The number of
       serological tests prescribed varies from 5 to 126 per year. The test
       number/visit number ratio decreases as the GP's activity increases. 24%
       of the GP prescribed one or more serological tests without advising
       their patients (blood recipients, partners of HIV+ patients, specific
       evocatrice signs and symptoms). DISCLOSURE OF THE RESULT: 206 GP (49%)
       estimate that announcing a positive result is very difficult and prefer
       to refer the patient to a specialized consultation in 80% of the cases;
       88 physicians (21%) were the first to detect one or more positive
       serologies. ROLE OF THE PHYSICIAN: 48% of the GP with no experience of
       HIV+ patients' follow-up would like to manage this pathology, 57.5% of
       the GP with HIV infected patients within their practice want to continue
       their follow-up. Psychosocial care seems to be the greatest difficulty
       to assume. GP fearing the most this psychosocial aspect are the oldest
       ones, and mostly live in country. 40 GP (10%) expressed their worry
       about their own risk of contamination. PHYSICIAN'S INFORMATION: 257 GP
       (62%) have the feeling that their are not informed enough on AIDS.
       Physicians with more than 3 HIV+ patients in their practice feel well
       formed and informed on this pathology. Documentation availability is
       inadequate for 32% of the GP, and too profuse for 15%. The great
       majority would apreciate the edition of synthetic and periodic letters.
       Finally, there is a real request from the GP for the set-up of a
       town-hospital network.
 DE    Adult  Attitude of Health Personnel  AIDS Serodiagnosis  France  Human
       HIV Infections/DIAGNOSIS/*THERAPY  Patient Education  Physician's
       Practice Patterns  Physician's Role  *Physicians, Family/PSYCHOLOGY
       Truth Disclosure  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).