Between empathy and anger: healthcare workers' perspectives on patient disengagement from antiretroviral treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa - a qualitative study.

Background & Objectives: The benefits of long-term adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are countered by interruptions in care or disengagement from care. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play an important role in patient engagement and negative or authoritarian attitudes can drive patients to disengage. However, little is known about HCWs' perspectives on disengagement.