AMA Recommends Routine HIV Testing While Protecting Patient Autonomy, Privacy

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 19 Nov 2007 - 6:00 PDT

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The American Medical Association recently updated its HIV testing policy to include guidelines supporting routine HIV testing, while continuing to advocate for the protection of patient privacy and autonomy, the AP/Google.com reports (AP/Google.com, 5/14).

"Understanding and treatment of HIV has grown substantially over the past few decades," Ardis Hoven, an AMA board member, said, adding, "new policy calls on physicians to routinely test consenting adult patients for HIV and reflects the reality that if HIV is detected early patients can lead full and productive lives" (AMA release, 11/13).

CDC in September 2006 released revised recommendations on HIV testing in the U.S. The recommendations advise that HIV tests become a routine part of medical care for residents ages 13 to 64 and that requirements for written consent and pretest counseling be dropped. According to a study published last month in PLoS One, more than 30 states have laws that hamper doctors from implementing the recommendations (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 10/11).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

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