Perceptions of persons with either a positive HIV Antibody test or AIDS toward their health care providers

Author

D'Nice Cavalaris

Date of Award

12-1987

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing

Major

Nursing

Major Professor

Sandra Thomas

Committee Members

Jonn Jozwiak, Margaret Pierce

Abstract

Reactions by AIDS patients to their health care providers have not been examined by researchers. This disease carries stigma for many reasons, including: association with homosexuals and IV drug abusers, predominantly.sexual transmission, communicability, dismal prognosis and the economic drain of treatment. This descriptive study was designed to explore what perceptions AIDS patients have of their health care providers' attitude toward them.

Ten subjects comprised a purposeful sample in the descriptive study. Criteria for inclusion were age greater than 18 with either a diagnosis of AIDS or a positive HIV status. Each informant participated in an indepth interview using open-ended questions concerning health care in Knoxville. Before use, the interview protocol was approved by nine experts and pilot tested on two persons meeting criteria for the study.

Interview time lasted between 10 minutes and 1 hour depending upon how responsive the individual was to questioning. Interviews were conducted in the person's home, in the hospital, at the school of nursing or on the telephone, according to the informant's preference. The interaction was taped and later transcribed. The researcher coded for recurring themes using different colored highlighter pens on copies of the original manuscript. The themes were transcribed to memo pages for final analysis.

The findings of this study indicated more dissatisfaction than satisfaction with health care in general. The informants were pleased with their primary physician, but complained strongly about other physicians who had had opportunity to give them care. Nurses were seen as being kind, but not always well-informed. Those working in the X-Ray department were criticized for over-reacting. Replications of this study would be useful to verify these trends.

Recommended Citation

Cavalaris, D'Nice, "Perceptions of persons with either a positive HIV Antibody test or AIDS toward their health care providers. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1987.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/13431