Delivering HIV rapid test results: Experiences from the field

More than 1 million people are living with HIV infection in the United States. An estimated one quarter do not know they are infected. CDC recommends routine voluntary HIV screening as a normal part of healthcare clinical services, similar to screening for other treatable conditions. As HIV testing is increasingly integrated into a range of health care and community settings, and as rapid testing technology continues to improve, more providers need to be prepared to deliver what is often very difficult news. Delivering HIV Rapid Test Results: Experiences from the Field is a 35-minute video developed for health care providers and HIV counselors working in a wide range of settings that provide HIV testing. The video offers three scenarios that demonstrate counseling approaches for effectively and compassionately delivering HIV test results. Specifically, it offers strategies for: stating and explaining HIV rapid test results; responding effectively and sensitively to the client's immediate reaction; assessing the client's support network; and providing effective referrals. In addition, the video shares perspectives from a group of diverse clients who have received HIV test results, as well as from experienced health professionals who have given test results. A video companion guide is available and provides discussion questions and additional resources to enable viewers of the video to learn from one another, and to build on their experiences delivering difficult news to clients. The video was developed by the Region I Federal Training Centers Collaborative: the Region I Title X Family Planning Training Center; the New England AIDS Education and Training Center; the Sylvie Ratelle STD/HIV Prevention Training Center of New England; the New Jersey Medical School Global Tuberculosis Institute; and the New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center.