Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: psychological impact on health personnel

Eight nurses and four physicians involved in the care of an acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient and a matched, non-AIDS patient responded to three self-report measures that assessed the psychological distress associated with working with each patient. While working with the AIDS patient the physicians and nurses experienced increased anxiety, greater interference in nonwork activities, more frequent negative ruminations, and more negative perceptions regarding the AIDS patient's behavior than they did with the non-AIDS patient. Because of the fears and concerns engendered in medical personnel when providing care to AIDS patients, psychological and educational interventions are needed to reduce staff's discomfort and thereby facilitate optimal care of AIDS patients.