Rhode Island Docs Fight Written Consent for HIV Testing
Rhode Island doctors are urging state lawmakers to pass a bill that would lift a requirement that patients provide written consent before receiving an HIV test, the Associated Press/WPRI 12 Eyewitness News reports (eyewitnessnewstv.com, 6/19).
According to the article, the doctors say consent forms make it difficult to test their patients and diagnose HIV early in its progression. While the proposed bill would eliminate the paperwork prior to testing, a patient’s verbal consent would still need to be obtained before a screening took place.
Steven Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, told the AP that he opposes the bill, saying consent paperwork does not hinder early HIV detection.
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Maya, , 2008-06-19 22:17:03
You have to basically write a novel and sign your life away to go to the doctors office or the hospital anyway, so I don't see the big deal about one more form that you have to sign. I don't think it hinders anything. Not to mention that while they would require verbal consent, where would be the proof that they actually told the patient they were testing them for HIV and what is to stop them from doing it without their knowledge? Don't think for one moment that wouldn't happen.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
