Question

Mary, a 33 year old Native America male to female transgender person, wants to look into services that you provide. She has not legally changed her name so her documents display her given male name Mark. She is new in transition, dresses in high heels and tight skirts. She produces facial hair (which is exposed). She looks to be very nervous, shy and does not look anyone in the eyes. Mary has been diagnosed HIV positive for three years and has just begun a relationship with Robert who is HIV negative.

How can the provider establish a sense of trust with the patient?

What can the provider do to gain a sense of Mary’s knowledge about HIV, how it is contracted, and how it is treated?

What social support, if any, should Mary be offered?

How can the provider fulfill his/her ethical responsibility to Mary and her partner(s)?

What are some other cultural competency issues that may impact Mary's retention into care and treatment?

Answer 1

#The provider can establish a sense of trust to a patient in the following ways

• Communicate in a professional and therapeutic way. This enable the patient to come out with their problems to be addressed .
• Listen to the patient .This makes the patient feel that the provider is concerned to what she is saying.
• Think empathetically ,this helps the patient to belief the provider
• Encourage patient to engage in conversation.

# The provider can do this in the following ways

• Questioning the patient in regards to the infection
• Discussion about the disease and her view about it personally and in society

# She can be introduced or enrolled AIDS Drug Assistance Program in the area,Social security program,Ryan White HIV program or AIDS program.

# The ethical responsibility can be fulfilled by counselling and educating the client to disclose the truth to the partner and get screened for infection .Providing psychological support to the patient to come out of stigma and lead a quality life .

#The cultural competency which can impact Mary's retention of care and treatment are

• The coping mechanism to accept the new bodily changes and the treatment for the same
• Health educating the client and encouraging for regular follow up
• Addressing any language barrier