Rights of Patients with HIV/AIDS: A Nursing Perspective

Introduction: Patient rights, as part of fundamental human rights, are protected and guaranteed both by international and national legislation. Individual rights of a patient are concerned with privacy and freedom protection and are also covered by urban and penal legislation provisions. With regard to health care, patient rights are closely connected to specific policies which include the administration and organisation of health care provision. Aim: The purpose of this position paper is to outline nursing deontology and patients’ rights by discussing critically the case of confidentiality and consent of individuals with HIV/AIDS and related issues involved. Method: A critical debate is undertaken using resources from national and international literature. Results and Discussion: The results of this critical discussion paper are organized in six distinct sections which cover holistically the topic under debate, as follows: Nurses and individuals; Nurse and practice; The current situation in Greece; Patient consent with HIV/AIDS; Medical confidentiality and HIV/AIDS and Ethical implications of HIV/AIDS patients in hospital. This typology ensures that a true nursing perspective is presented regarding the rights of patients with HIV/AIDS both nationally and internationally. In this respect, it was deemed essential that results of this paper incorporate discussion as well as part of a critical comprehensive overview of a complex and challenging health care topic. Conclusions: The ethical, legal and moral dilemmas regarding patients with HIV/AIDS remain controversial and challenging. Respect for patients' confidentiality is a fundamental principle in medical ethics, and also a legal duty that health care providers owe to all their patients. However, the respect of absolute confidentiality has been subject of debate particularly in the case of patients with HIV/AIDS. Currently in Greece, disclosing one's HIV/AIDS status is particularly difficult because the condition is still negatively associated with homo-sexuality or particularly promiscuous behavior. This can bring extra stigma and discrimination against patients infected with HIV/AIDS irrespective of its cause.