Abstract:
Trust is the key feature in HIV infected patients and physicians relationship.This study aimed to explore HIV infected patients experiences after recognized their HIV status,caring experiences between them and their physicians, and physicians characteristics that promoted trust .Qualitative study was used. In-depth interview were couducted 10 HIV infected patients from purposive sampling. The study site was a large government hospital in Bangkok.Thematic approach was applied in data analysis. The findings revealed 3 main themes.First, HIV infected patientsexperiences after recognized their HIV status had 4 stages, suffering, fighting with HIV, true acceptance of their HIV status, and growth of their minds.Second, caring experiences from their physicians demonstrated positive and negative experiences.Owing to positive experiences,there were physiciansacceptance and caring without prejudice. Negative experiences were denied to serve, treated without care, unconcerned of dignity ,delayed treatment with poor outcome, discriminated and stigmatized patients. Third, physicianscharacteristics that promoted trust.The last theme had 3 categories,meaning and significant features of trust, trust building and changing affected by caring experiences, and physicians characteristics that promoted trust. This study yielded better understanding about trust between physicians and HIV infected patients, that can applied in counseling psychology which trust also be a key component.