Chronic pain, patient-physician engagement, and family communication associated with drug-using HIV patients’ discussing advanced care planning with their physicians

In the era of effective antiretroviral therapy, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are living longer, transforming HIV into a serious chronic illness, warranting patient-provider discussion about advanced care planning (ACP). Evidence is needed to inform physicians on how to approach ACP for these patients. Chronic pain is common in PLWHA, particularly in those who have substance use disorders; although it is known this population is at risk for poorer patient-physician engagement, the effects on ACP are unknown.

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