PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Tanvi Rai AU - Jane Bruton AU - Meaghan Kall AU - Richard Ma AU - Erica Pufall AU - Sophie Day AU - Valerie Delpech AU - Helen Ward TI - Experience of primary care for people with HIV: a mixed-method analysis AID - 10.3399/bjgpopen19X101665 DP - 2019 Dec 11 TA - BJGP Open PG - bjgpopen19X101665 4099 - http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2019/12/10/bjgpopen19X101665.short 4100 - http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2019/12/10/bjgpopen19X101665.full AB - Background Advances in treatment have transformed HIV into a long-term condition (LTC), presenting fresh challenges for health services, HIV specialists, and GPs.Aim To explore the experience of people living with HIV (PLHIV) regarding consulting their GPs.Design & setting A mixed-method analysis using data from two sources: a nationally-representative survey of PLHIV and a qualitative study with London-based PLHIV.Method Univariate logistic regression was used for quantitative data and framework analysis for qualitative data.Results The survey had 4422 participants; the qualitative study included 52 participants. In both studies, registration with a GP and HIV status disclosure were high. Similar to general population trends, recent GP use was associated with poor self-rated health status, comorbidities, older age, and lower socioeconomic status. Two-thirds reported a good experience with GPs; a lower proportion felt comfortable asking HIV-related questions. Actual or perceived HIV stigma were consistently associated with poor satisfaction. In the interviews, participants with additional LTCs valued sensitive and consistent support from GPs. Some anticipated, and sometimes experienced, problems relating to HIV status, as well as GPs’ limited experience and time to manage their complex needs. Sometimes they took their own initiative to facilitate coordination and communication. For PLHIV, a ‘good’ GP offered continuity and took time to know and accept them without judgment.Conclusion The authors suggest clarification of roles and provision of relevant support to build the confidence of PLHIV in GPs and primary care staff to care for them. As the PLHIV population ages, there is a strong need to develop trusting patient–GP relationships and HIV-friendly GP practices.