Rhode Island: Booklet Offers Information About HIV

In dealing with newly diagnosed HIV patients, Heather E. Ross found that "the same questions were coming up over and over again." In response, Ross, a social worker who helps new HIV patients at Miriam Hospital in Providence, worked with doctors, nurses, and state Department of Health personnel to create a booklet called "I Just Found Out."

New patients typically seek information on such topics as where to access help, whom the patient needs to share the diagnosis with, and how to avoid transmitting the virus. "We used to give them all these loose pieces of paper," Ross said. Now, "They have all the information in a very concise form."

The 20-page publication's resources are locally focused and, unlike the Internet, concise. "When you look on the Web, there's almost too much information," Ross noted.

"HIV, because of the stigma, is a very isolating disease," Ross said. Indeed, "some people are a little bit leery about taking literature with them. They like to read it in the office," Ross said.

Back to other news for January 2008

Search the Newsroom archive