HIV Health literacy beyond the biomedical model: an innovative visual learning tool to highlight the psychosocial complexities of care

ABSTRACT

The HIV care continuum represents a linear clinical pathway from testing to viral suppression; however, it does not capture the psychosocial complexities of contemporary HIV care. We developed an innovative and appealing visual learning resource to extend the scope of HIV health literacy beyond biomedical constructs. Based on the lived experiences of recently diagnosed people living with HIV in Queensland, the “Journeys through the HIV Care Continuum” Map presents the continuum as a complex journey incorporating challenges such as poor health literacy, health service access and stigma alongside facilitators to care, including emotional and peer support. Designed for audiences who may not access academic literature, the Map can be used to facilitate conversations between recently diagnosed people living with HIV and peer navigators, and as a learning tool for health professionals, carers and students. The Map highlights opportunities to support PLHIV in meaningful ways that will reduce stigma and promote care access.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• HIV care continuum
• social perspectives
• visual communication
• health literacy
• social determinants of health
• qualitative research

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the people living with HIV who participated in the research and thank them for their time and for sharing their stories. The T2TQ Study was funded by the HIV Foundation Queensland. Map development was funded by a grant from QPP and completed as part of O.H. doctoral research (Australian Postgraduate Award with Career Development Scholarship Extension). All graphics by Luke Beaverson from Luke Alexandr Designs, Brisbane.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Medicare is Australia’s universal, taxpayer-funded healthcare scheme.

2 www.qpp.org.au