Harm reduction interventions in HIV care: a qualitative exploration of patient and provider perspectives.

ABSTRACT: Background. A culture of stringent drug policy, one-size-fits-all treatment approaches, and drug-related stigma has clouded clinical HIV practice in the United States. The result is a series of missed opportunities in the HIV care environment. An approach which may address the broken relationship between patient and provider is harm reduction-which removes judgment and operates at the patient's stage of readiness. Harm reduction is not a routine part of care; rather, it exists outside clinic walls, exacerbating the divide between compassionate, stigma-free services and the medical system. Methods. Qualitative, phenomenological, semi-structured, individual interviews with patients and providers were conducted in three publicly-funded clinics in Chicago, located in areas of high HIV prevalen

SUBMITTER: Carlberg-Racich S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4841234 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature