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A qualitative study of HIV testing and referral practices of private hospital doctors treating patients with TB in Chennai, India

Miller, Rosalind, Parkhurst, Justin O, Peckham, Stephen, Singh, Raj B. (2012) A qualitative study of HIV testing and referral practices of private hospital doctors treating patients with TB in Chennai, India. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 27 (2). pp. 180-191. ISSN 0749-6753. (doi:10.1002/hpm.2105) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:29797)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2105

Abstract

Objective

In India, 50%–80% of patients with tuberculosis (TB) seek private care. This study set out to explore HIV testing and referral practices of private hospital doctors treating patients with TB.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with private hospital doctors (n?=?15). Interviews covered HIV testing, linking HIV-positive patients with TB to HIV care, and coordination of care for co-infected patients.

Results

Doctors did not routinely refer patients with TB to government HIV testing facilities as per national policy guidance. If deemed appropriate, then testing was conducted privately. Testing was more common when a

facility guideline mandated testing or a public–private initiative for TB management was in place. Otherwise, testing was based on doctors' judgement. Patients accustomed to private care who could not afford

treatment were reportedly reluctant to shift to public facilities. A lack of communication between public and private doctors was found to undermine co-management.

Conclusions

In this sample, private provider practices were influenced by both the social and the health systems contexts in which they operated. An understanding of patient perceptions of HIV, private doctors concerns for

retaining patients, and the contrasting philosophies of private medicine versus public health objectives was found to be critical to explain HIV testing and referral behaviours. The government has proposed to scale up

HIV testing and treatment among patients with TB, yet operationalising this will require engagement with the realities of a large, diverse private sector. It will also require considering what role government policies can

have on shaping private practice and how to potentially integrate public and private care.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/hpm.2105
Uncontrolled keywords: private sector;tuberculosis;HIV;India;health systems
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA638 Immunity and immunization in relation to public health
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Tony Rees
Date Deposited: 05 Jul 2012 10:00 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:07 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/29797 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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