Stigmatization of AIDS patients by physicians. Am J Public Health 1987 Jul;77(7):789-91
Date
07/01/1987Pubmed ID
3592030Pubmed Central ID
PMC1647216DOI
10.2105/ajph.77.7.789Abstract
A randomly selected sample of physicians in three large cities was asked to read one of four vignettes describing a patient. They then completed a set of objective attitude measures eliciting their reactions to the patient described in the vignette. The vignettes were identical except that the patient's illness was identified as either acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or leukemia and the patient's sexual preference as either heterosexual or homosexual. Harsh attitude judgements were associated with the AIDS portrayals, as well as much less willingness to interact even in routine conversation when the patient's illness was identified as AIDS. Increasing numbers of AIDS patients will be seeking medical attention from physicians in all areas of the country and it will be important for health care professions to develop programs which counter unreasonable stigma and prejudicial attitudes that may be associated with this illness.
Author List
Kelly JA, St Lawrence JS, Smith S Jr, Hood HV, Cook DJAuthor
Jeffrey A. Kelly PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAdult
Aged
Attitude of Health Personnel
Female
Homosexuality
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Leukemia
Male
Middle Aged
Physician-Patient Relations
Prejudice
Surveys and Questionnaires
