HOW SHOULD A POSITIVE HIV RESULT BE GIVEN - THE PATIENTS VIEW

The study aimed at obtaining information about the experience of how t he diagnosis of HIV infection was given. Thirty asymptomatic HIV serop ositive subjects completed a self-report questionnaire enquiring about their views of the process of communication of a positive test result . Subjects' current mood was assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and De pression Scale (HAD). Only about one-third of subjects were definitely satisfied with the way they were told the diagnosis. Satisfaction was associated with perceived reassurance and sympathy, and with the qual ity of the information given. The views of patients, as reported in th is study, should be taken into account when training staff in the noti fication of HIV test results.