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HIV PrEP: Supporting Patients
My 6 Tips on Sex: Supporting Patients and Their Sexual Needs With PrEP

Released: August 02, 2023

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Key Takeaways
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be considered when recruiting clinic staff to promote representation.
  • All clinic staff should receive proper training to engage a diverse group of patients and maintain each patient’s privacy and confidentiality, so they feel comfortable seeking care for sexual health, including HIV preexposure prophylaxis.  
  • Focusing less on risk and more on pleasure will go a long way to help bridge the knowledge gap in HIV prevention and sexual health care.

For the majority of people, walking into a doctor’s office or a health care facility can feel daunting. It is often an experience of extreme humility. People are there to talk about their bodies, which can make them feel vulnerable—a feeling that is even more heightened when discussing issues related to sexual or reproductive health.

When talking to patients about sexual health and HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), it is important for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to keep in mind that, as uncomfortable as it might be for you, your patient may be just as uncomfortable. Here are 6 tips to help put your patients at ease to better serve them and their sexual needs.

1. Every Interaction Matters
Whether a patient is seeking advice because of a possible sexually transmitted infection (STI) exposure or considering PrEP, the trust that a patient has for their HCP begins from the moment they walk into the building.

How a patient is greeted or spoken to throughout their visit matters. A receptionist asking out loud the purpose of their visit or an employee questioning someone’s name because it doesn’t seem to match their assumed gender are some examples in which patients can immediately feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Because of this, it is critical to make sure all staff have the proper training and protocols to engage a diverse group of patients and maintain each patient’s privacy and confidentiality.

2. Community Representation
Another key element to consider is representation. Many of us are looking for signs of racism and bias. Does your clinic staff represent the community, including people of color and members of the LGBTQ community? Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be considered when recruiting clinic staff.

Not being a person of color, gay, or transgender doesn’t mean you can’t service the community with integrity and respect. Instead, it is an opportunity to practice cultural humility. Be a human being and recognize you are sitting in the room with another human being. Be kind and listen. Show you care without judgment.

3. Only Ask Necessary Information
Recently, a friend shared their experience after seeing an HCP for a STI exposure. After they told the HCP about their exposure, the HCP asked them unnecessary questions like, “How many sexual partners have you had in the past 6 months?” which offended them and negatively affected their future experiences seeking care.  

To avoid situations like this, HCPs should only ask necessary information and be sure to frame questions in the least stigmatizing way to make patients feel relaxed and engaged.

4. Less About Risk, More About Sex and Pleasure
Most people at risk for HIV don’t think of themselves as someone at risk. People may be at risk for HIV from their sexual networks or life circumstances and not necessarily because of having more sex or riskier sex than others.

The best messaging to share with patients on PrEP is that it can enable them to have better sex lives with less worry and anxiety. Focusing less on risk and more on pleasure will go a long way to help bridge the knowledge gap in HIV prevention and sexual health care.

5. Lay It All Out on the Table
There are 3 medications approved for PrEP: oral emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), oral FTC/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), and injectable cabotegravir (CAB).

Each PrEP regimen is safe and effective. To set patients up for success, all PrEP options (depending on the type of sex they are having [eg, vaginal, anal]) should be discussed with them, including monitoring requirements for each regimen. In the end, the best PrEP regimen is the one that the person will use.

Honesty is key. Patients should be informed of the consequences of medication nonadherence and provided instructions on what to do if they miss a dose. I field many panicked late-night questions on social media from people who have missed doses and are terrified they may have contracted HIV.

6. Keep the Door Open for Discussion
Lastly, I have had many friends change their minds after being skeptical about PrEP. In situations where a patient declines PrEP, be sure to tell them you’re willing to discuss it again if they change their mind. This lets them know the door is always open to discuss HIV prevention strategies and helps foster trusting and long-term relationships.

Your Thoughts?
How do you approach conversations on sexual health and PrEP with your patients? Join the discussion by posting a comment.