Do you consistently apply approaches that meet the needs of your clients?

• A Core Competency in the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs)

Consider...
Lena is a new counsellor/educator at an HIV/AIDS service organization. She has a very direct and frank approach that works well with some clients, but her co-workers are concerned that she may be upsetting some of her other clients. They wonder what information and support they can give to Lena to help her apply a more client-centered approach.

Do you work in the area of sexual health or STBBI prevention and support? Do you routinely apply approaches that meet the STBBI prevention needs of the client, such as motivational interviewing and active listening?

Use the questions below to help you self-assess your knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices related to meeting your clients' needs. Remember that depending on your role, you may require different levels of proficiency for the various core competencies and it is possible that some of the competencies are not relevant to your work.

1. What are some characteristics of motivational interviewing and why is it useful in the area of STBBI prevention?
2. In providing support to individuals at high risk for STBBIs, what are some of the principles and approaches that can contribute to risk reduction?
3. Can you provide some examples of attitudes and/or behaviours on the part of a health or social service provider that could create barriers to STBBI prevention and support services?
4. What are some open-ended questions you could ask a very shy 15 year old girl who is looking for help in talking about condom use with her partner?  
5. Does your organization provide regular opportunities for staff to share counselling and education strategies and to continually develop their skills and knowledge in this area?

Suggested resources:

• Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections (Section 2.4 - Providing Patient-Centred Education and Counselling), Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010
• Integrating HIV Prevention with Care: Behavioural Interventions in the Clinical Setting, National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases, 2008
• Pre and Post HIV Test Counselling Guide: Aboriginal Community and Health Care Professionals, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, 2011
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Counselling Guidelines, Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada, 2004
• Rapid Response: Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing in Changing Risk Behaviours for People Living with HIV, Ontario HIV Treatment Network, 2014

This is one of a series of cases on the core competencies for STBBI prevention. View all 26 cases on the core competencies for STBBI prevention.

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