Course: Fostering Trust in Clinical Encounters: Reducing Bias and Enhancing HIV Care Conversations
CME Credits: 0.25
Released: 2025-05-30
Empathetic communication and understanding surrounding cultural and social dynamics are paramount when caring for individuals living with HIV, especially in rural and underserved areas. Stigma can be a significant barrier to ongoing management in small, tight-knit communities where patients may not wish to disclose their HIV status. This activity, which is part of a three-part series titled Walking in Their Shoes: First-Person Insights Into HIV Stigma, highlights these challenges through the personal viewpoint of Saed, a Middle Eastern man who has sex with men and has been diagnosed with HIV. The video shares Saed’s inner thoughts as he navigates two contrasting encounters with his healthcare provider—one based on assumptions about him and the challenges he faces in taking his HIV treatment, and another characterized by empathy and helpful counseling. Expert faculty will offer key insights on both scenarios, including the importance of providing sensitive and culturally competent care and considerations for patient education on the benefits of HIV prevention and treatment. The content for this enduring activity was recorded on April 5, 2025.
View Full Course