HIV/AIDS: An Update ________________________________________________________________________
CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-ENGLISH- PROFICIENT PATIENTS For patients who are not proficient in English, it is important that education regarding the risks, prevention, and treatment of HIV be provided in language that they understand. When there is an obvious disconnect in the communication process between the practitioner and patient due to the patient’s lack of proficiency in the English language, an interpreter is required. Interpreters can be a valuable resource to help bridge the communication and cultural gap between patients and practitioners. Interpreters are more than passive agents who translate and transmit information back and forth from party to party. When they are enlisted and treated as part of the interdisciplinary clinical team, they serve as cultural brokers who ultimately enhance the clinical encounter. In any case in which information regarding treatment options and medication/treatment measures are being provided, the use of an interpreter should be considered. Print materials are also available in many languages, and these should be offered whenever necessary.
SUMMARY Although prevention and new medical interventions may reduce the pace of the epidemic, HIV will be a significant dis- ease for many years both in the United States and the world. Education provides the opportunity to ensure that healthcare professionals have the information necessary to provide the best possible care for persons with HIV. Those who specialize in HIV care should identify ways to renew themselves through education, individual support, staff support, and variation of workload so that they can continue to contribute their valu- able expertise to patients with HIV. With no easy cure in sight, healthcare professionals have the opportunity to work with patients to help them achieve and maintain their optimal level of health during the continuum of HIV disease.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/248ru
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MDCT2026
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