My clinician did… {examples below} Is this okay? What should I do about it?
…Refused to treat me
In Canada, HIV is considered a disability1. Human rights law in Canada forbids healthcare professionals from refusing to treat a patient or client based on a disability. However, healthcare professionals are allowed to refuse to treat clients or patients for other reasons, such as having a full caseload. If you believe you have been refused treatment because of your status, please see the “discriminated against me” section.
…Moved me to a different clinician in the same profession
Clinicians are not all trained or experienced in the same ways. Your clinician may have felt that their colleague had more experience with your condition. He or she should have explained their reasons when they made the referral. If they did not, you may want to contact them to ask for an explanation, and/or follow the “discriminated against me” section.
…Wore gloves or a mask
In Canada, we have “universal precautions,” which are steps healthcare professionals must take with all patients. One of these steps is that they have to wear gloves if they might touch blood, other bodily fluids, or any cuts or sores. If you have a cut or a rash, the healthcare provider should put on gloves before touching you.
The healthcare provider also has to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses2. During cold and flu season, your healthcare professional may wear a surgical mask to avoid spreading an illness from one client to another.
If you feel the actions taken went beyond universal precautions, you can ask the clinician to explain why he or she took that action. If the answer does not satisfy you, please see the “discriminated against me” section.
…Discriminated against me
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/) has helpful information for HIV+ people. If you believe that a healthcare professional has discriminated against you, and talking to them has not resolved the issue, keep a careful, complete record of what happened. If the clinician has a supervisor, speaking with them would be a first step. Some institutions like hospitals have a Patient Relations Office or Ombudsmen that you can speak with. If that is unsuccessful, or if they do not have a supervisor, you may wish to file a complaint. This complaint can be with the regulatory body for that profession, such as the College of Physiotherapist of Ontario, or your provincial Human Rights Commission.
Your local ASO may have information and resources on dealing with discrimination in healthcare.
1Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. Living with HIV. Know your rights. Disclosure. Accessed Dec 18, 2014 from http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/KYR_5_E_web.pdf
2World Health Organization. Standard precautions in health care. Accessed Jan 15, 2015, from http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/EPR_AM2_E7.pdf