A149 Standardizing a trauma and compassion-informed care pathway for those living with HIV

Published Date: 20th April 2025

Publication Authors: Spinosa. J

Background: Studies have indicated that rates of trauma are higher among people living with HIV than the population average. Historical trauma can increase a person's likelihood of contract HIV, furthermore how a person contracts HIV, their diagnosis and subsequent required health care interactions are all possible sources of additional trauma. Whilst trauma and compassionate informed care and therapeutic interventions have been utilized to good effect among this patient group, they are often considered in isolation at different points in the patients care journey.

Method: The current work aimed to streamline and embed the principles of trauma and compassion informed care throughout the patients care pathway within an established HIV service. The current work outlines the development and delivery of this pathway, implementing three linked processes 1) Training for medical staff on trauma and compassion informed care 2) Access to regular trauma and compassion informed staff supervision, facilitated by a Senior Clinical Psychologist, and 3) Patient access to one-to-one psychological therapy offering Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and or Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).

Results: Qualitative and quantitative feedback from front line staff indicate improved knowledge and confidence to provide a trauma informed space and approach to their patient work. Patient experience feedback similarly highlights the felt value in access to trauma and compassion focused approaches, illustrated via two case studies.

Conclusion: Trauma is an important factor to hold in mind during the care of patients living with HIV. The pathway developed, provides a valued and replicable “scaffolding” to allow trauma and compassion informed care to remain consistently at the forefront of the patients' medical journey.

Spinosa, J. (2025). A149 Standardizing a trauma and compassion-informed care pathway for those living with HIV. HIV Medicine. 26(S2), p.110. [Online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.70013 [Accessed 11 February 2026].