Perceptions and Current Practices in Patient-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study of Ryan White HIV Providers in South Florida.

Background

Patient-centered care (PCC) improves HIV adherence and retention, though lack of consensus on its conceptualization and understanding how it is interpreted has hindered implementation.

Methods

We recruited 20 HIV providers at Ryan White Programs in FL for in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis identified core consistencies pertaining to: 1) provider perceptions, 2) current practices promoting PCC.

Results

Provider perceptions of PCC emerged under four domains: 1) holistic, 2) individualized care, 3) respect for comfort and security, and 4) patient engagement and partnership. PCC practices occurred at multiple levels: 1) individual psychosocial and logistical support, 2) interpersonal support within patient-provider relationships through respectful communication and active engagement, and 3) institutional practices including feedback mechanisms, service integration, patient convenience, and diverse staffing.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the central tenets of PCC as respectful, holistic, individualized, and engaging care. We offer an HIV-adapted framework of PCC as a multilevel construct to guide future intervention.