Table 3 Dimensions of access and subthemes with illustrative quotes

‘Approachability’ and ‘ability to perceive’

Health beliefs and expectations

It’s not ‘cause I hate doctors, it’s just, with my friends dying back in the day with AZT, I became very distrusting of the whole system. And that’s where people are today, distrust in the system. (Interviewee #3)

The specialist… he’s good on the infectious diseases side of things, but anything else… he’s said to me, “I wouldn’t have a clue, I’d probably kill ya. But I can do… this is my specialty”. Where your GP is an allrounder. (Interviewee #7)

‘Acceptability’ and ‘ability to seek’

Anticipated stigma affecting health-seeking behaviours

I’ve had hideous things said to me about, from doctors… and I never went back, you know?… [and I approach healthcare now] kind of apprehensive. (Interviewee #6)

I never disclosed my status to anyone, any doctor or dentist or whatever in Sydney… [and when I moved to] Northern Rivers, I found a doctor … he was, to my surprise, quite friendly and we go through the whole health history, and he definitely showed me that the mentality here… he made me feel good! So, I disclosed to him my status and he was quite good… I’m quite happy that I chose him as my GP. (Interviewee #2)

‘Availability and accommodation’ and ‘ability to reach’

Distance to appointments

The thing about the Northern Rivers, all the transport’s been a thing for me. I’ve got a car now… but I think the Northern Rivers is a sort of satellite, you know, so I guess travelling was one thing to get to them. My previous GP was in (locality) and uh, I was living out there for a little while but once I returned to my house here, it just made it harder to get to… so yeah, it’s mainly been about location, I think is the one [barrier]. (Interviewee #5)

Appointment availability

I guess finding a GP was challenging because it was, you know, a lot of closed books and practices… so that was challenging… (Interviewee #10)

‘Affordability’ and ‘ability to pay’

Affordable, quality care

I have to go to the local bulk billing place and the doctors change there so often that um, you now, you get used to one doctor who knows your history or is a good doctor and then you may have a not-so-great doctor who, who knows your story and then they might have underlying prejudices towards you… (Interviewee #3)

I really appreciate, you know, the thoroughness, because as a human, we’re really complicated and health is a complicated issue that needs to be addressed with professionalism and thoroughness and I get that… that is like, hugely valuable to me. (Interviewee #8)

‘Appropriateness’ and’ability to engage’

Technical competency

I don’t know if this is a thing with GPs or what, but it seems that the specialists inform GPs, but the GPs don’t inform the specialists… that’s what I feel like I’m doing… I think it should come from the doctor… I don’t see why a GP caring for me should not be involved in shared care with my HIV doctor, I think that’s a bit strange. (Interviewee #4)

Interpersonal quality

I love my GP, like love my GP… [I have been seeing her] going on 2 years?… I like her personability and personality. I like the fact that I’m, cause medicine is something that I, I have some medical training, so I’m, you know, always researching around things, so I like the fact that she’s open to discussion around things… I feel like it’s a dialogue, it’s not like “I’m your doctor, here’s your prescription, go away”. (Interviewee #5)

Health efficacy

When I first started seeing [HIV specialist], he had a concept which I still hold true and dear to my heart, which is that I am an integral part of my healthcare team, whereas other people view their healthcare as oh, their healthcare professionals do that. I have to be an integral part of the team to affect the best outcome… I’m not just an unwitting participant… I can’t be passive; I have to be absolutely proactive for my own outcome. (Interviewee #5)