Professional Perceptions, Stigma and Training Needs in HIV Care: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare and Social Care Professionals in Burgos, Spain

Despite advances in HIV treatment, stigma and prejudicial behaviours among healthcare professionals remain documented barriers to equitable care across European healthcare settings. This qualitative study explored healthcare and social care providers’ perceptions and behavioural responses towards people living with HIV (PLWH), examining how these shape clinical practice, psychosocial support and care pathways, while also identifying professionals’ training needs to enhance stigma‐free, person‐centred HIV care. Using a phenomenological approach, we conducted 40 in‐depth interviews with nurses, physicians, social workers and educators in hospitals, primary care, and a community‐based HIV organisation in Burgos, Spain. Thematic analysis identified five core themes: persistent stigma and precautionary behaviours driven by fear of contagion; accounts of changing professional approaches to HIV care over time; limited attention to psychosocial dimensions of HIV care; fragmented knowledge of accompaniment and follow‐up pathways; and strong demand for professional training and awareness. Although many providers recognised HIV as a manageable chronic condition, stigmatising practices such as patient labelling, excessive protective measures and avoidance behaviours were commonly reported and undermine trust and care quality. Participants’ accounts showed that fear, misconceptions and stigmatising practices may occur across different career stages, while specific training, reflective practice and professional experience were perceived as relevant to more informed and person‐centred HIV care. These findings complement broader European evidence by providing an in‐depth qualitative account of HIV‐related stigma and care needs within a regional Spanish healthcare setting.