"A few months ago, I worked with a patient recently diagnosed with HIV. He refused to take his antiretroviral medication. Of course, I knew the consequences of not taking the ART medication could be fatal, so I spent time with the patient discussing the real-life impact of noncompliance. My approach was caring and respectful, but I didn't hesitate to talk about the fatal consequences. During the conversation, I learned that the patient was resistant because he didn't understand how the medication worked or why he had to take so much of it. I offered explanations about how the medications worked using relatable comparisons, stopping frequently to assess his understanding and see if he had questions. By the time I left, the patient agreed to stay compliant until our next visit."
