Lapin R, Sorvillo F, Kerndt PR, Rosales C, Windle L, Iglesias L; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 953 (abstract no. PO-D38-4411).

AIDS Epidemiology Program, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, California.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of medical care for AIDS patients in Los Angeles County (LAC). METHODS: AIDS cases in LAC were randomly selected for interview. Patient self-report of AIDS medical care indicators (CD4+ testing, AZT therapy, and PCP prophylaxis) were assessed to determine the quality of care. Medical records are being reviewed on a 15% random sample of patients interviewed to validate responses. RESULTS: Of 582 AIDS cases interviewed, 42% were white, 13% black, and 27% foreign-born Latino. Foreign-born Latinos and blacks were more likely than whites (referent) to report not having had a CD4+ count performed (12%, 8%, 2%, OR = 4, OR = 7, respectively) not taking AZT (9%, 10%, 4%; OR = 2, OR = 3), and not receiving PCP prophylaxis (13%, 26%, 2%; OR = 8, OR = 20). Preliminary results from medical record review (n = 28) found that 65% of those who self-reported no PCP prophylaxis, 50% who self-reported no AZT treatment, and 67% who self-reported no CD4+ testing had documentation in their medical record that such care was provided. CONCLUSIONS: An assessment of medical care quality by patient interview may be biased. While interview data suggested substandard medical care for some minority AIDS patients in LAC, medical record review failed to confirm this finding. Discrepancies could result from poor communication between patient-doctor, patient-interviewer, or patient recall or apathy. Policy based on non-validated survey data should be used cautiously.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• African Americans
• CD4 Lymphocyte Count
• Disease Progression
• European Continental Ancestry Group
• Hispanic Americans
• Humans
• Interviews as Topic
• Los Angeles
• Medical Records
• Minority Groups
• methods

Other ID:

• 93338332

UI: 102207712

From Meeting Abstracts