Living with HIV in regional Queensland: social ties, care and support in managing a long-term complex chronic illness

Abstract

involving data analysis at each and across time points was employed to examine participants' social practices on the continuum of care. Practices examined include adherence to treatment, forming and using social networks and social ties to manage everyday life, and caregiving. Analysis of the changing macro and regional health systems, policies and cultural paradigms provided a background within which participants' practices were examined. Bernard Gardiner, the fellow PhD student on The LPQ Study, and Kate Hannan, the research assistant on The LPQ Study, have provided substantial input and feedback into preliminary themes arising from the data analysis of this PhD study and into drafts of abstracts. Kate Hannan has provided ongoing technical support into the highly involved fieldwork carried over two years.I would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support from, and the dialogue with the partner organizations of The LPQ Study: Positive Directions (prior to defunding), Queensland Positive People and Queensland Association of Healthy Communities.They provided substantial input into all phases of The LPQ Study.