[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
PRE-TEST INFORMATION AND INFORMED CONSENT
Pre-test information may be provided in a number of ways:
-
One-to-one, face-to-face, etc.
-
group information + brief individual risk assessment
-
group information only
-
couples + individual
-
couples together
-
de-linked community counselling (in PWID settings, encouraging self-referral), or
-
phone link/hotline pre-test counselling in the community linked to a testing laboratory.
Providers of counselling typically conduct an education session and a risk assessment, with a primary focus on prevention counselling for clients both prior to and after receiving their test results. This approach to testing and counselling in PWID settings attempts to find a balance between complicated and overdrawn counselling sessions and rapid, intense education/information transfer. While it is accepted that detailed counselling is vital in certain circumstances, it is felt that in most settings attended by PWID it can be substantially shortened.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]