A qualitative study of the views of patients with human immunodeficiency virus and childhood trauma on the consent process for a neurocognitive and neuroimaging study

Abstract

Full disclosure of true benefits from participation must be emphasised throughout the recruitment process. This is particularly important for participants with HIV who appear to participate because of perceived health incentives. Providing prior notification that questions about traumatic experiences will be asked may improve the experiences of participants. A generic but thoroughly conducted consent process is suitable in this population.

Future Directions for Interventions Targeting PTSD in HIV-infected Adults

“…For example, Machtinger et al (2014), used qualitative methods to conduct a post-intervention examination of an expressive therapy group intervention for women living with HIV; Kremer and Ironson (2014) used longitudinal content analysis over a 10-year period to examine spiritual coping with trauma in PLWH; and Bates, Seedat, and Lester (2013) used qualitative methods to examine the consent process for a neurocognitive/neuroimaging study in HIV-infected people with a history of childhood trauma. It is vital that future research continue to take advantage of the full range of qualitative methods to provide a rich template for clinical interventions for PTSD in PLWH.…”