Chronic Pain, Patient-Physician Engagement, and Family Communication Associated With Drug-Using HIV Patients' Discussing Advanced Care Planning With Their Physicians

Eric D. Hansen, Mary M. Mitchell, Tom Smith, Nancy Hutton, Jeanne Keruly, Amy R. Knowlton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context In the era of effective antiretroviral therapy, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are living longer, transforming HIV into a serious chronic illness, warranting patient-provider discussion about advanced care planning (ACP). Evidence is needed to inform physicians on how to approach ACP for these patients. Chronic pain is common in PLWHA, particularly in those who have substance use disorders; although it is known that this population is at risk for poorer patient-physician engagement, the effects on ACP are unknown. Objectives To further characterize factors associated with successful ACP in PLWHA, we examined associations between patient-physician relationship, chronic pain, family communication and problem-solving skills, and rates of patients discussing ACP with their physicians. Methods Data were from the Affirm Care study (N = 325), which examined social and environmental factors associated with health outcomes among PLWHA and their informal caregivers. Results In multivariate analysis, higher odds of patient reports of discussing ACP with their physicians were associated with their higher rating of their relationship with their physician (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.73; P < 0.05), higher levels of chronic pain (AOR 2.16; P < 0.05), experiencing prior family arguments about end-of-life medical decisions (AOR 2.43; P < 0.01), and feeling comfortable talking to family members about problems (AOR 1.33; P < 0.05). Conclusion These results suggest that interventions to increase ACP among HIV patients and their physicians should promote patient-centered patient-provider relationships and PLWHAs' family communication and family problem-solving skills. The findings also suggest that PLWHA with chronic pain and prior family discord over end-of-life medical decisions may be primed for ACP.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)508-513
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management
Volume54
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2017

Keywords

  • African American or black
  • HIV/AIDS
  • advanced care planning
  • chronic pain
  • patient-provider engagement
  • substance use

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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