One of the most important relationships for a woman living with HIV is the one she has with her health care team. This might include a doctor, midwife, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. This relationship can have a big impact on her well-being.
What to look for in your HIV care team
You need a health care provider who:
- Specializes in treating HIV and AIDS. Studies show better outcomes for women who have a health care team with HIV expertise who manage their care, especially antiretroviral treatment.
- You feel comfortable with a trust
- Supports you and helps you face challenges
- Accepts your health insurance
Questions to ask your health care provider
Some questions you may want to ask a provider who specializes in HIV include:
- Have you treated many women with HIV? It is important to find a health care provider who has experience with the unique issues facing women with HIV and AIDS.
- What do you think about me participating in treatment decisions? Try to find a doctor or other health care provider who wants to work with you on treatment decisions, such as when to start treatment and whether you should use complementary therapies.
- What other services and providers does your clinic have? Try to find a clinic or office that has many kinds of health care workers. Ryan White HIV/AIDS clinics often have many kinds of HIV and AIDS services in on location.
Whether all your health care providers are in one place or not, your HIV doctor should serve as a link to other people on your HIV care team. Other important members of your health care team may include:
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Social workers
- Psychologists/psychiatrists/psychotherapists
- Dieticians
- Physical therapists
- Case managers
What you can do as a patient
Building a good HIV care team is just one step in improving your health with HIV. Being a proactive patient can help you catch problems before they become serious.
- Always give your doctor or nurse as much information as you can.
- Be honest about whether you are taking your medicine as directed.
- Tell your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may have from the medicine.
- Be honest about sexual activity and whether you are using latex condoms.
- Come prepared to each doctor's appointment:
- Bring a list of all the medicines you take.
- Bring a list of questions you may have about your care and treatment.
- Be prepared to discuss any symptoms you have or any side effects you have from the medicine.