Observational "go-alongs" of follow-up HIV care visits of two virally suppressed Black sexual minority men.
Derek T Dangerfield, Allison J Ober, Janeane N Anderson and 2 others
PMID 34403517WHAT IT FOUND
In two observed HIV visits of Black sexual minority men, co-located services, staff greetings, and clinician rapport were described as possibly helping them keep HIV care, but neither disclosed drug use to providers.
Key findings
01Devin’s visit included appointments with an HIV physician, social worker, and nutritionist at the same clinic, and the authors said this co-located structure could help support retention despite ordinary rapport.
02Dominic’s visit included a community support group at the clinic, and the authors said social support and positive rapport could circumvent other experiences of stigma.
03During the visits, Devin denied drug use to his physician although he had reported crack cocaine and methamphetamine use in the parent interview, and Dominic’s drug use was not discussed.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only two participants were observed, so the paper cannot show what most Black sexual minority men do or what improves care retention. The researcher was present during visits, which could have changed how clinicians and patients behaved. A single go-along was not enough to reach saturation or make broad inferences about each participant’s usual care. The participants were selected for age, diagnosis length, and appointment feasibility, not as a representative sample. All participants were virally suppressed, so the paper does not describe visits of men who were not suppressed.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural research.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that co-located services, staff greetings, or warm clinician rapport increase HIV care retention. This was two observed visits, and the authors state generalizations cannot be made from two individuals.