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IntroductionStudies on the organisation of care and the power dynamic between providers and patients with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are rare. This study aims to describe the patient-provider relationship and explore the challenges to optimal and patient-centred care for HIV patients.MethodsThis was a qualitative exploratory descriptive study using in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. In total, 17 individual interviews and 5 focus group discussions were conducted. This was conducted in four urban health facilities in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Three group of participants were included in this study namely patients with HIV; health providers including facilities and services managers; and psychosocial counsellors. Psychosocial counsellors provide emotional and psychosocial support to HIV patients. Their role in the organization care in Guinea is new and they contribute to strengthening adherence of patients with HIV to ARV treatment.ResultsPatients with HIV, health providers, and psychosocial counsellors have a positive perception of the patient-provider relationship. This relationship was characterized essentially by maintaining confidentiality of HIV status disclosure, caring attitudes towards patients (being available, adjusting locations for accessing ART, based on patients’ preferences), and participating in HIV patient’s social life. However, scolding and miscommunication about the interpretation of viral load tests were reported. The shortage of human resources, low salaries of health staff, poor infrastructure, and the financial burden borne by patients with HIV impede the implementation of optimal patient-centred care.ConclusionIntegrating psychosocial counsellors in HIV care organization, improving access to ARV, infrastructure, increasing human resources, and removing the financial burden for HIV patients are needed to optimal patient-centred care in Guinea.

INTRODUCTION: Patient-centred care has become a rallying call for improving quality and access to care in countries where health system responsiveness and satisfaction with health services remain low. Understanding patient-provider interactions is important to guide implementation of an effective patient-centred care approach in sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to overcome this knowledge gap by synthesizing the evidence on patient-provider interactions in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: we conducted a scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework. We searched in eight databases and the grey literature. We conducted a thematic analysis using an inductive approach to assess the studies. RESUTS: of the 80 references identified through database searching, nine met the inclusion criteria. Poor communication and several types of mistreatment (service denial, oppressive language, harsh words and rough examination) characterize patient-provider interactions in sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, some health providers offer support to patients who cannot afford their medical expenses, cost of transportation, food or other necessities. Maintaining confidentiality depends on the context of care. Some patients blamed health providers for consulting with the door open or carrying out concomitant activities in the consultation room. However, in the context of HIV care provision, nurses emphasized the importance of keeping their patients' HIV status confidential. CONCLUSION: this review advocates for more implementation studies on patient-provider interactions in sub-Saharan Africa so as to inform policies and practices for patient-centred health systems. Decision-makers should prioritize training, mentorship and regular supportive supervision of health providers to provide patient-centred care. Patients should be empowered in care processes.