The role of rehabilitation in HIV care is growing. But many rehabilitation professionals have limited experience in this area.
The good news is that you already know much of what you need to know. If you have worked with individuals with other episodic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes, you will find there are similar issues. In many ways, you will simply need to apply your existing clinical knowledge to the specific impairments and activity limitations of those living with HIV.
However, it is important to realize that individuals with HIV have needs and sensitivities specific to their experience:
Stigma
Even though the HIV epidemic is more than 30 years old, health care provider stigma is still present in various settings, creating a barrier to accessing care for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) (Wagner, McShane, Hart & Margolese, 2016)
PLWHIV often face intersecting forms of stigma and discrimination when attempting to access health services based on:
- Real or perceived HIV status,
- Gender and/or sexual identity
- Race/ethnicity
- Engagement in sex work
- Homelessness/poverty
- Mental illness
- Drug use
Helpful Approaches
- Mirror your client’s preferred language
- Don’t ask how they acquired HIV
- Don’t assume that HIV is their most important concern
- Listen and learn (The client is usually an expert in terms of managing their own health. Try to understand why the client may be frustrated or angry)
- Don’t overuse personal protective equipment or avoid touch if it is a normal part of providing care
- Be informed of local services and support for people living and aging with HIV
- Maintain confidentiality
- Refer to the client as a person living with HIV (avoid AIDS)
Using Inclusive, Non-Stigmatizing Language
Keep in mind too that not all clients are heterosexual or cis-gender
- Ask about your client’s “partner” rather than assuming they have a husband or a wife
- Ask about “relationship status” rather than assuming your client is married or in a monogamous relationship
- Ask the client what their chosen name/pronouns are (She/he/they, her/him/them, hers/his/theirs…)
- Gently challenge oppressive comments
- Don’t assume that clients will disclose their true sexual or gender identity upon admission