Abstract
We explored the perspectives of clinicians (nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians) and social services personnel (i.e., case coordinators, social workers) on the needs of older adults living with HIV and who receive healthcare at a major metropolitan hospital. We utilized a small qualitative study (n=10) as a means of developing an understanding of the perspectives shared within the framework of inter-professional collaboration for purposes of quality care for older adult patients with HIV. Five themes emerged from our qualitative research study. The first theme involves the idea of access to healthcare while the second theme suggests that older adults with HIV experience psychological issues. Third, older adults with HIV demonstrate high levels of adherence to medication regimens. Next, HIV is no longer viewed as a ‘death sentence’. Finally, education across disciplines and professions is necessary.
Highlights
HIV among older adults is not uncommon
Older adults – defined in the literature as 50 years old or older [1] are known as an overlooked epidemic and silent risk group [2] as a result of the increase in the numbers of older adults diagnosed with this chronic health condition [3,4,5]
Any number of perspectives exist with regard to the types of resources that might be useful in establishing a ‘gold standard’ for adherence, its assessment, and pertinent interventions, clinicians and researchers acknowledge that adherence assessment and interventions consist of a complexity of issues involving cultural, economic, personal and social factors [10,11]
Summary
HIV among older adults is not uncommon. On the contrary, older adults – defined in the literature as 50 years old or older [1] are known as an overlooked epidemic and silent risk group [2] as a result of the increase in the numbers of older adults diagnosed with this chronic health condition [3,4,5]. Because of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the numbers of older adults living longer with HIV has increased dramatically [6,7], though estimates suggest that approximately 20% of adults living with HIV and within the United States do not know that they are HIV-positive [8]. This occurrence may be due to the misconception that older adults are not susceptible to contracting HIV [4,9].
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