Selecting a tutorial
HIVinsight comprises 9 tutorials, which cover four key areas of HIV nursing:
- Module 1 - Understanding HIV
- Module 2 - Caring for people with HIV
- Module 3 - Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
- Module 4 - Health promotion
Module 1 - Understanding HIV
1A - What is HIV?
An introduction to HIV, including how the virus is transmitted, how it establishes itself within the body and the course of HIV infection.
1B - Opportunistic infections (OIs)
An overview of opportunistic infections commonly seen when HIV compromises the immune system, how each is typically managed both prophylactically (where appropriate) and acutely, the impact of ART on the incidence of OIs and non-HIV related cancers.
1C - HIV testing and diagnosis
Exploring the impact of testing and early diagnosis on the spread of HIV and treatment outcomes, the tests used to confirm a diagnosis of HIV and the role of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis following Sexual Exposure (PEPSE). This tutorial also considers the role of the healthcare team in supporting people being tested for HIV, including pre-test discussion, delivering positive and negative results, and post-test counselling.
Module 2 - Caring for people with HIV
2A - Assessing health and wellbeing
This tutorial explores the vital importance of considering people holistically, i.e. physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing, at every stage of the disease and the pivotal role of nurses in supporting people with HIV.
2B - Supporting psychological and social care needs
An overview of the factors that can affect living positively with HIV, the key nursing interventions that support and encourage positive living and the role of the wider multi-disciplinary team.
Module 3 - Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
3A - ART
An introduction to the role of ART in suppressing HIV and reversing immune system damage, when ART should be initiated, the value of CD4 and viral load counts and how treatment regimens should be tailored to individual patients.
3B - ART and patient wellbeing
This tutorial explores the complex subject of side effects and adherence; the physical and emotional impact of common side effects associated ART, the impact of side effects on adherence, and practical strategies to help to minimise the impact of side effects. It also considered the importance of nursing support for people experiencing side effects and for those starting and switching therapy.
Module 4 - Health promotion
4A - Importance of a healthy lifestyle
An overview of factors that commonly affect health in people with HIV, including increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and the potential impact of smoking, drinking alcohol and taking recreational drugs. This tutorial explores the role of screening, immunisation and the implications of travelling abroad.
4B - Supporting sexual and reproductive health
This tutorial considers the sexual health needs of people with HIV, with a focus on the impact and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It also provides an overview of methods used to support reproduction and strategies to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in sero-discordant couples during conception, and from mother to child during conception, gestation and birth.
