ABSTRACT
Although person-centred care (PCC) has been identified as a means to achieve the 90-90-90 targets, limited research has considered PCC in low- or middle-income settings. We aimed to explore what constitutes PCC from the perspectives of PLWHA and healthcare professionals (HCP) in Ghana. We conducted 39 semi-structured qualitative interviews with PLWHA and HCP in two community clinics in Ghana, West Africa. Interviews were analysed deductively using thematic analysis, and sampling continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Twenty-four PLWHA (median age 42.5, 50% female) and 15 HCP (median age 34, 53% female) were interviewed. Three interconnected themes emerged across PLWHA and HCP: (1) care structures not built around the person, (2) priority outcomes and components of PCC and (3) re-engineering HIV care to be more person-centred. A conceptual model showing the overlap between PLWHA and HCP’s perspectives of PCC and a framework to inform PCC delivery have been developed from these findings. Our data revealed that PLWHA want PCC to improve care outcomes, well-being and quality of life. Further testing of this model is required to inform PCC delivery for PLWHA in low- and middle-income countries.
Acknowledgements
This study was conceived and designed by MA-O, KB, JK, NAV-D, GA, MA, IJH and RH. Data were collected by MA-O. Data analysis and interpretation were conducted by MA-O, KB and RH. All authors critically appraised and contributed to the manuscript. My gratitude further goes Laura Cottrell and Simon Etkind for their support in codding some of the interview transcripts. I am grateful to God for His guidance in conducting this study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.