Patients' Misconceptions Regarding HIV Testing: A Communication Gap in the Ambulatory Care Setting

Undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite recommendations for standardized, non-targeted, opt-out HIV testing, a substantial subset of HIV-infected individuals remain undiagnosed. We performed an anonymous, voluntary, cross-sectional survey among adult patients visiting an internal medicine clinic at the University of Florida to assess whether potential misconceptions of patients regarding routine blood work could contribute to underdiagnosis of HIV. We developed one question to assess participants’ beliefs regarding consistent HIV screening via routine laboratory tests: “I think my doctor checks me for HIV/AIDS every time he/she checks my blood.” The question had five answer options arranged in a 5-point Likert-type scale: “strongly agree”, “agree”, “neither agree nor disagree”, “disagree”, or “strongly disagree.” Of the 78 patients who participated in the study, 39 (50%) either “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” that routine laboratory tests detect HIV. The “neither agree nor disagree” option was selected by 26 (33%). Ten participants (13%) “Agreed” or “strongly agreed” that routine laboratory testing detects HIV. Our study highlights the need for improved communication between healthcare providers and patients about the nature of the laboratory tests and their implications as they relate to HIV screening