The Human Immunodeficiency Virus has been a part of modern society for at least the last 25 years. In that time, numerous reports have emerged detailing how a non-infected person can not obtain the virus simply by coming into general contact with an infected person. Still the discriminating treatment of HIV patients continues to occur.
One place that we would not expect to see HIV discrimination play out is in a hospital, doctor’s office or other medical professional setting. Sadly, this is becoming one of the most common settings for this type of treatment by HIV patients.
This prompted a study by Lance S. Rintamaki, Ph.D., an assistant professor of communication and health behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Initial consultations with HIV patients revealed that the discriminating stigma from medical professionals is the most discouraging part of the diagnosis and treatment process.
To understand the extent of this information, Rintamaki and his staff conducted further studies. They started by selecting 50 HIV patients and bringing them in for the study. Eight of these individuals were questioned in two separate focus groups. The data from this setting was collected and used in individual questioning of the remaining 42 participants. All interview information from all 50 participants was compiled into one report.
The findings revealed that out of 50 HIV patients, only several individuals reported no discriminating treatment. Mistreatment with the others included dentists refusing service and doctors avoiding eye contact. In extreme cases, medical professionals openly blamed the HIV patient for needing treatment in the first place.
In his conclusion, Rintamaki explained that the findings clearly indicate a need for medical professionals to exercise sensitivity in terms of treating HIV patients.

Source: University at Buffalo