Interpersonal Communication and Counseling for Clients on Tuberculosis and HIV and AIDS

This training curriculum for tuberculosis (TB) health care workers in Ukraine introduces principles of interpersonal communication and counselling of clients on TB and HIV. It provides a framework for the development of experience in TB and HIV counselling skills in a three-day workshop. It includes a focus on diagnostic counselling and testing (DCT) of TB patients for HIV according to international norms and Ukrainian legal requirements, as well as a focus on effective interaction between medical providers and clients that will enhance the ability of clients to successfully complete TB treatment. The training package also includes PowerPoint presentations on parts 1, 2, and 4 for the trainers and handouts for the participants. The training was developed by PATH with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Training objectives include the following:

1. "To review the basic concepts and skills of interpersonal communication and counseling.
   
2. To recognize the effects of personal attitudes and values in counseling.
   
3. To discuss factors that influence effective communication.
   
4. To understand the importance of focusing on the client as an individual and helping him or her to make decisions for himself or herself.
   
5. To promote positive changes in medical providers’ attitudes towards their communication with the clients.
   
6. To learn the main steps of effective counseling and to be able to apply them in counseling patients on TB and HIV and AIDS.
   
7. To practice active listening skills (reflecting, paraphrasing, summarizing, etc.)
   
8. To discuss ways to identify where clients are on the behavior change continuum and to help clients make decisions.
   
9. To gain and practice the skills of effective counseling on TB.
   
10. To gain and practice the skills of effective DCT of TB patients for HIV."

Materials for Interpersonal Communication and Counseling for Clients on Tuberculosis and HIV and AIDS, by title, include the following:

• Front Matter (PDF format)
  
• Part I: Interpersonal communication (PDF format)
  
• Part II: The main steps of effective counseling (PDF format)
  
• Part III: Counseling on TB (PDF format)
  
• Part IV: Diagnostic counseling and testing of TB patients for HIV (PDF format)
  
• Part I: Interpersonal communication (PowerPoint)
  
• Part II: The main steps of effective counseling (PowerPoint)
  
• Part IV: Diagnostic counseling and testing of TB patients for HIV (PowerPoint)
  
• Participant handouts (PDF format)