Abstract
Background: The disclosure of positive HIV status to a patient is not an easy task. In the developed world with
established protocols for doing this, it becomes relatively simpler to present the results to the patient. In the
underdeveloped countries like Pakistan, it is not easy for the laboratory personnel in particular to convey such
results to the patient.
Case Presentation: The problem has been discussed in the light of two cases presenting to Shalamar Teaching
Hospital. The first case is an example of “Provider referral” and the second one the “Self-referral”. At the end,
recommendations are made to effectively handle the situation in an underdeveloped setup like Pakistan.
Discussion: Complete knowledge of the disease is an essential requirement for anybody from the pathology
department contemplating this responsibility. In addition, all communications should be in local language and the
counselor must be able to address all the questions/concerns raised by the patients and/or their families. The
counselor learns the skill more through supervised training rather than a taught course.
Conclusion: This responsibility should be accepted only if the laboratory staff has no other option
Maryam Riaz Tarar, Tahir Naeem, Muhammad Ebrahim Naeem. (2019) Disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Serostatus to the Patient; Issues for Laboratory Staff, Journal of Shalamar Medical and Dental College, volume 1, issue 1.
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