ABSTRACT
From the earliest days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it was clear that individuals infected with HIV frequently presented not only with complex medical disorders but also with an array of psychological and social problems, which required a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to care. As the epidemic has continued and the life expectancy of individuals with HIV infection has steadily improved, additional “nonmedical” obstacles to care as well as the wealth of secondary problems associated with the virus, its treatment and newly defined requirements for treatment adherence, and avoidance of complex drug interactions have continued to emerge. In areas with sophisticated systems of care, these needs have further emphasized the need for interdisciplinary cooperation among a variety of health care providers. In the developing countries, confronting poor access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other elements of care, this interdisciplinary approach is no less essential, although it may be particularly difficult to achieve.
