Abstract

     The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a blood-borne, sexually transmissible virus which belongs to a subset of viruses called retroviruses. Patients with HIV disease face problems like stigma, discrimination, poverty and marginalization.
These problems also affect the physician-patient communication in HIV disease.
     Learning to conduct a consultation is a complex skill which is gradually learned and perfected during training and career. Good physician-patient communication in HIV disease demands medical professional competence, good communication skills, ethical behaviour, respect of patient’s dignity, good teamwork skills and maintaining confidentiality.
     The most important aspect of patient care is education, which should include empowering patients with basic knowledge about HIV infection, methods of transmission, progression, prognosis, and prevention. A multidisciplinary approach that uses the special skills of nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, and case managers is desirable. Effective methods for clinicians to support such development
are needed.

Keywords

HIV disease, patient-physician communication, treatment adherence, prophylaxis counseling