Nurses demand more HIV training

Compilation
Almost half of new HIV diagnoses are detected late, as stated in the latest HIV and AIDS surveillance report in Spain. Having HIV experts in all areas of care, ending stigma and promoting proactive prevention in consultations is one of the most important challenges facing health systems today. This became known at the webinar. “HIV is in question: from diagnosis to chronicity,” organized by the Institute of Higher Medical Education (Isfos) of the General Nursing Council (CGE) in collaboration with Gilead, during which HIV expert nurses and patient representatives emphasized the need to continue the fight to raise awareness of HIV among the population.

“Nurses play an important role in the individual care of these people, as well as their families and the wider community. HIV doesn’t just affect certain people; anyone can get it. Scientific evidence has taught us that HIV infection often causes premature aging in those affected. “Relieving potential symptoms, adherence to treatment, and resolving any doubts surrounding the diagnosis are essential to improving your daily life.”It is said Pilar FernandezDirector of Isphosa.

Almost half of new HIV diagnoses are detected late, according to the latest HIV and AIDS surveillance report in Spain.

The importance of early case detection to stop transmission, as well as early treatment, is key to realizing that undetectable HIV equals undetectable HIV. And this is something that the public, as well as healthcare workers themselves, should know. Support from experienced nurses at diagnosis helps avoid future mental health problems and helps prevent other types of comorbidities that may arise over the years.

“When we talk about a patient with HIV, we are talking about a chronic patient whom we know a lot, and empathy, communication and trust with him are necessary. They often come for consultation, and HIV itself causes them the least problems. We need to have an open consultation with the patient, the family and the whole team, because this is unthinkable without the participation of a multidisciplinary team and, above all, ensuring continuity of care. What is very important is the status of an experienced nurse in specific HIV treatment units.“, Explain Rosa Maria BadiaNurse Consultant at the HIV/AIDS Unit of the Val d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona.

Support from experienced nurses at diagnosis helps avoid mental health problems in the future and helps prevent other types of comorbidities.

So, Sylvia Rodrigueznurse consultant for sexually transmitted diseases at the Alvaro Cunqueiro University Hospital in Vigo, notes that “nurses must assess the patient biologically, psychologically and socially, and also take into account their environment, knowing whether they are alone or whether they belong to a more vulnerable group… We provide comprehensive care and then provide health education and explanation or his family members, aspects such as transmission routes are also important, trying to destroy all those myths that exist to this day. The first people they see after diagnosis are us and a lot depends on making patients feel welcome and understood so that they want to come back and we ensure commitment to advice and treatment.”.

In addition to expert professionals, having basic knowledge about HIV in all departments will help avoid stigma and improve the quality of care during consultations.

Having basic knowledge about HIV in all departments will help avoid stigma and improve the quality of care during consultations.

“ANDWe live in a time when patients with HIV are cared for by a system that is not yet ready to respond to a chronic disease because it is more concerned with the disease than with the patient. If we are to move towards a holistic and person-centred model of care, the current model will need to change. Without a doubt, training at all levels of care is important to prevent stigmatization of people with HIV, including in health centers. I believe it is imperative that this training be added to the study of nursing and medicine. The student should begin to become familiar with this from the faculty.” dot Juan Sebastian HernandezCoordinator of the HIV Treatment Working Group (GTT).

Rosa Maria Badia takes the same line, noting that with HIV “We’ve been stuck for years.” “Additionally, we have been facing the problem for over four decades, and it is stigmatized because it is a major barrier to diagnosis, prevention and treatment. “HIV is one of the diseases that has developed most at the medical level, but less so at the social level”– he concludes.