The Patient–Provider Relationship as Experienced by a Diverse Sample of Highly Adherent HIV-Infected People

Qualitative interviews with 23 HIV-infected people who self-reported high-level adherence to antiretroviral therapy were used to examine the process by which they came to accept their HIV infection and engage in high-level adherence behaviors. A major theme that emerged during data analysis was the importance of the patient–provider relationship. The quality of the relationship between patient and provider emerged as an important component of working through early struggles with diagnosis and the on-going struggles of living with a chronic illness. A variety of factors impacting the patient–provider relationship emerged as subthemes. What can be taken from this study is the importance of the patient–provider relationship in the effective self-management of HIV infection. Additionally, several specific behaviors can enhance the patient–provider relationship and help assure movement toward patient acceptance of the illness and engagement in high-level adherence behaviors.