Challenges to HIV service provision: the commonalities for nurses and social workers

Interdisciplinary collaboration can be enhanced through an understanding of the challenges and needs associated with service provision. This study explores the experiences of 192 service providers, with additional comparisons of nurses and social workers. Service providers reported fear of contracting HIV, feeling helpless, problems getting up-to-date information, grief and inadequate referral resources. Except for many more nurses expressing worry about contracting HIV, nurses and social workers shared many of the same problems. In addition, both groups were concerned with the comprehensive health needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Moreover, they demonstrated shared professional values such as the importance of self-awareness and professional knowledge, positive and non-judgemental attitudes, and non-discriminatory treatment of client groups. This commonality makes nurses and social workers natural allies in responding to the many challenges associated with HIV service provision. Study findings support collaboration in the areas of service delivery, policy development, advocacy and professional development.