Human immunodeficiency virus: the need of a person-centered counselling

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is portrayed as one of the most challenging health problems worldwide; its diagnosis plays a crucial role in the life of an individual and it provides a comprehensive outlook of a person’s treatment adherence. Therefore, it is highly important to offer the user an exceptional care and provide crucial information while sharing the results of the diagnosis. Counselling sessions allow people not only to be educated about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, but also to bring forth the possibility to discuss myths, clarify different uncertainties and promote self-care. The main objective of the this study was to design a structured instrument for the HIV counselling process provided along with the HIV rapid test. An evidence-based approach was followed in order to combine scientific evidence, the critical assessment of the bibliographic data and the specific information provided by the health personnel in charge of the counselling process at the beneficiary institution. The procedure was carried out following the steps suggested by the National Center of Technological Health Excellence (2012) of Mexico to update Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) as well as the methodology of Evidence-based Practice in Psychology. As a result, a Clinical Practice Guideline with a humanistic approach was developed, taking into consideration the user’s needs identified through qualitative research techniques along with the criteria referred to the counselling and diagnosis process of HIV established by the Mexican Official Standard for HIV NOM-010-SSA2- 2010. The study is a significant contribution to psychology due to the fact that it is an input that improves the counselling process by systematizing its practice and the psychologist role in order to lessen the variability and offer a better service.