AIDS and community nursing care

This article reports on a study commissioned by the Department of Health to examine community nursing services for people with HIV disease. Data were gathered on discharge, referral patterns and coordination of services for people with HIV disease in six health authorities in England. Methods included discharge surveys, a district nurse survey, and service user focus groups. All data were collectively analysed within a structure-process-outcome framework. Findings demonstrate that given adequate and appropriate support, education, training and clinical preparation, district nurses are effective and willing providers of care for people with HIV disease. However, there are problems in care coordination, discharge planning and accessing resources. At its best, community nursing is providing individualized, holistic and comprehensive care packages, but practice in both acute and primary care settings was not always effective.