Cognitive coping intervention for acutely ill HIV-positive men

A nursing intervention was designed that is intended to develop, maintain and strengthen the patient's cognitive coping skills to regulate emotional response to severe physical symptoms. It was tested in a randomized trial reported elsewhere and this article describes the intervention and discusses its application.

Research shows that psychological distress and depressive symptoms are likely to increase with the development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related physical symptoms. Nurses who work with HIV-positive individuals have an opportunity to influence their patients' health experiences substantially.

The intervention was carried out with hospitalized HIV patients who had to cope with an acute period of stress due to an exacerbation of HIV-related symptoms. The intervention was administered on three consecutive days, in 20-30-minute sessions. The features of the intervention in relation to two examples of patient profiles are described: patients needing to develop their cognitive skills to regulate severe emotional distress and patients with effective cognitive coping skills.

The intervention empowers nurses by offering an effective approach to deal with individuals who are facing severe illness. It has also the potential to empower patients both to take advantage of their own personal resources and to take control over their situation.