Chronic Disease Self-Management and Adherence to HIV Medications

Summary: Although it is widely recognized that potent antiretroviral therapies have transformed HIV from an acute to a chronic illness, it is less often recognized that with this change, a different model of care is appropriate. People living with chronic HIV must function independently, taking personal long-term, day-to-day responsibility for care. The role of doctors and the healthcare system is to help them do this. The authors present a conceptual framework for the self-management of chronic HIV disease and discuss the components of an HIV self-management program. The ability to take antiretroviral medications well and consistently is a key part of self-management but should be nested within an array of important skills, including symptom-management skills, goal setting and planning, communication, and accessing information and resources.