Reducing HIV stigma in clinics using trained patient actors
Combating HIV Stigma in Healthcare Settings: A Standardized Patient Approach
Trained actors will visit clinics unannounced to spot and reduce mistreatment of people with HIV and gay and bisexual men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11415014 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team hires and trains local actors to pretend to be patients and visit area clinics without announcing themselves. These standardized patients present the same health story while the researchers randomly vary whether the actor says they are living with HIV or identifies as gay or bisexual. The actors objectively record how staff respond to detect HIV-related, sexual-orientation-related, and intersectional stigma. Results will be used to give feedback to clinics and guide changes aimed at making healthcare more welcoming.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV and gay or bisexual men who receive care at participating clinics are the primary groups this work is meant to help and are the most relevant patient population.
Not a fit: People who do not seek clinic-based care or whose stigma mainly occurs outside healthcare settings may not see direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce discrimination in healthcare and make it easier for people to get HIV testing, prevention, and treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Using standardized patients to detect provider behavior is a proven method, though prior efforts to change provider HIV stigma have shown mixed results.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, M Kumi — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Smith, M Kumi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.