Authentic caring: the sensible answer for clients and staff dealing with HIV/AIDS

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• HIV/AIDS Care

Background:

• The Denver Nursing Project in Human Caring is a nurse-managed outpatient center.
• It provides integrated care for individuals with HIV/AIDS, their families, and friends.
• The center is a collaboration between three Denver hospitals and the University of Colorado School of Nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the operationalization of authentic caring within an HIV/AIDS service setting.
• To highlight the benefits of Watson's theory of human care nursing in practice.
• To document the center's impact on client and staff well-being and institutional cost-effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• The center's programs and services are based on Watson's theory of human care nursing.
• Implementation of authentic caring principles in an outpatient setting.
• Documentation of client and staff outcomes, as well as cost-effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Operationalizing authentic caring has led to growth and satisfaction for both clients and staff.
• The center has documented its cost-effectiveness for participating institutions.
• Integrated care models can be successfully implemented in specialized outpatient settings.

Conclusions:

• The Denver Nursing Project in Human Caring successfully integrates Watson's theory of human care.
• The model promotes client and staff satisfaction and demonstrates cost-effectiveness.
• Nurse-managed centers can provide effective and efficient care for persons living with HIV/AIDS.