Background: The provider-patient relationship has been implicated as a positive force in health outcomes. This study examined the provider-patient relationship in the setting of integrated, partially-integrated, and non-integrated opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV care models in Vietnam.
Objective: To examine the provider-patient relationship in the setting of integrated, partially integrated, and non-integrated OUD and HIV treatment in North Vietnam.
Methods: Between 2013 and 2018, we conducted face-to-face qualitative interviews with 44 patients living with HIV and OUD and 43 providers in northern Vietnam. These were analyzed using a semantic, inductive approach to qualitative thematic analysis.
Results: Several themes were identified. 1) Trust was important to the patient-provider relationship and sensitive to provider attitudes and competence. 2) Patients perceived greater provider competence and understanding of patient health problems in integrated treatment. 3) Patient-provider relationships were initially superficial but deepened over time, facilitated by continuity of care.
Conclusions: Patient perceptions of competence and respect were important to feeling cared for. Providers felt empathy and competence came with more experience caring for patients with OUD and HIV.
Keywords: HIV care; Methadone; Patient-provider relationship; Suboxone; Treatment integration; Vietnam.
© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.