Author: Megan Krebs, PharmD Candidate, Washington State University
Receiving a new diagnosis is never easy – and when it comes with stigma, the burden can feel heavy.
In Washington State, nearly 92% of individuals living with HIV report experiencing negative emotions related to their diagnosis – a reflection of the stigma that still exists. Even more troubling, 28% have reported facing discrimination within healthcare settings, highlighting a serious barrier to compassionate HIV care.1 Discrimination has no place in healthcare, and disconnecting from this mindset is necessary when providing great care for our patients.
In 2023, 39.9 million people globally were living with HIV, with 53% of patients being women and girls. In the US alone, of the approximate 1.2 million people living with HIV, around 13% have no idea that they have HIV.2 Because HIV is transmitted sexually, it can be extremely dangerous when patients are unaware that they are positive for HIV. Since the first case diagnosis of HIV/AIDS back in 1981, we have made tremendous leaps in our treatment options for patients living with this diagnosis – but we can’t stop there.
Pharmacists have the unique ability to not only educate patients – both living with HIV and not – but also to promote adhering to medication regimens in order to keep the viral load undetectable. By working together to make positive changes in these communities and high-risk populations, we can help our patients feel more comfortable when advocating for themselves and others. Eliminating stigma in our communities is a reliable way to earn the trust of our patients – which is necessary when having honest and open conversations surrounding a diagnosis.
Reducing stigma in the health care setting begins with education.
How to Reduce the Stigma Surrounding Diagnoses
Reducing stigma in the health care setting begins with education. By educating the patients that we see in our pharmacies, we can help reduce misinformation surrounding HIV/AIDS. This can ultimately lead to a more empathetic environment for patients, which allows them to trust us and the information that we provide. Trust is the basis of great healthcare, and without it, our patients are unable to be treated in the most efficient and positive way possible.
We can also recommend routine testing for patients, especially when in high-risk populations. People between the ages of 13-64 should be tested for HIV/AIDS as part of a routine health care exam. Patients with certain risk factors, including the following, should be tested for HIV/AIDS more often (as well as other sexually transmitted infections):
- People who do not engage in safer sex practices
- People who inject drugs — especially when sharing needles and equipment with others
- Pregnant women
- Having sexual relations with someone who has HIV or whose status is unknown
- People with other sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis3
Encouraging our patients to get tested for HIV/AIDS is a great way to help reduce the stigma around this diagnosis. If people begin routinely testing for HIV/AIDS, it shows that this diagnosis can truly affect anybody, which alone could help break down the stereotypes.
When educating patients, offering resources on the diagnosis may be a helpful way to reduce the anxiety and nerves surrounding it. Below are a few resources that may be helpful for both you and your patients when speaking about or treating HIV/AIDS:
Encourage Adherence to Medications
Oftentimes, a new HIV diagnosis may come with a sense of guilt or shame, which is likely related to the stereotypes and misinformation surrounding it. When patients feel negatively toward themselves and their health following a diagnosis, it can be extremely difficult for them to keep up with a medication regimen. Ultimately, this may result in the spreading of HIV quicker due to it being left untreated.
As a pharmacist, you become one of the most trusted and accessible healthcare providers that your patients encounter.
As a pharmacist, you become one of the most trusted and accessible healthcare providers that your patients encounter. Building that trust begins with finding common ground and showing that you care for them and respect them. After all, a patient is far less likely to adhere to a medication regimen you offer if they don’t trust your judgement.
Some ways you can help promote medication adherence include:
- Using motivational interviewing to involve the patient in their care plan
- Encouraging medication reminders, such as alarms and calendar notifications
- Offering education about the importance of adhering to medication therapy
- Providing resources as requested by the patient
Stigma Ends Here
While receiving a new diagnosis can be extremely nerve wracking, adding stigma to the situation can make it seem unmanageable.
Pharmacists are uniquely equipped to support and guide patients navigating new diagnoses, offering a wealth of resources and information. By taking conscious steps to educate our communities and eliminate harmful stereotypes, we’re not just providing care — we’re helping to dismantle stigma and remove the roadblocks that prevent our patients from getting the support and help that they often need.
As pharmacists, we’re more than medication experts — we’re educators, advocates and allies. Let’s be the driving force in making pharmacies a stigma-free zone.
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