Management of HIV/AIDS on the Mid North Coast: a collaborative model of care involving general practitioners and the public health system

Abstract

The Coffs Harbour AIDS Information Network was set up to co-ordinate care planning and support service delivery for HIV/AIDS patients. This paper describes a collaborative model of care that brought together private general practitioners, a community nurse and a sexual health counsellor. Time involved in delivering services was monitored for each of the health professional groups during a 6 month period. Twenty-three patients were involved in our study. Doctors averaged 23 min per consultation over 57 occasions of service. Travel or telephone contact took up 17% of the time spent on these patients. Corresponding figures for the nurse and counsellor were an average of 67 min over 144 services and 71 min over 16 services. They spent 16% and 27% of their time travelling or on the phone, respectively. HIV/AIDS care is time consuming for health professionals but comprehensive care can be given in rural areas with adequate support and integration.