Incremento de la participación de Atención Primaria en la asistencia al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: opinan los profesionales de las unidades hospitalarias

AIM: To determine the opinions of infectious diseases professionals on the possibilities of monitoring patients with HIV in Primary Care. DESIGN: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews. LOCATION: Infectious Diseases Unit in the University Hospital «Virgen de la Victoria» in Málaga. PARTICIPANTS: Health professionals with more than one year experience working in infectious diseases. A total of 25 respondents: 5 doctors, 15 nurses and 5 nursing assistants. METHOD: Convenience sample. Semi-structured interviews were used that were later transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was performed according to the Taylor and Bogdan approach with computer support. Validation of information was made through additional analysis, expert participation, and feedback of part of the results to the participants. RESULTS: Hospital care professionals considered the disease-related complexity of HIV, treatment and social aspects that may have an effect on the organizational level of care. Professionals highlighted the benefits of specialized care, although opinions differed between doctors and nurses as regards follow up in Primary Care. Some concerns emerged about the level of training, confidentiality and workload in Primary Care, although they mentioned potential advantages related to accessibility of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians perceive difficulties in following up HIV patients in Primary Care, even for those patients with a good control of their disease. Nurses and nursing assistants are more open to this possibility due to the proximity to home and health promotion in Primary Care.