The role of social work in HIV/AIDS clinical trials

The social worker can facilitate screening, retention and patient adherence in HIV/AIDS clinical trials. This paper introduces the process and its key vocabulary, and uses three case studies to demonstrate how social workers can assist clients who may wish to participate in, or are already enrolled in a clinical trial. After examining five major issues that affect the client in a clinical trial (informed consent; treatment vs. research; risks and side effects; altruism; the role of family members; and gender, race and class issues), the authors elaborate on interventions at the screening level, and concrete services and psychosocial interventions for study participants.