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Anticipating care for HIV-infected clients: nurses' reactions
L Bradley-Springer1, S L Schwanberg, B Frank
1New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center, University of New Mexico College of Nursing, Albuquerque.
The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Nurses expressed a mix of caring, routine care, and avoidance when anticipating working with HIV clients. Many nurses simultaneously held positive, neutral, and negative views, indicating complex emotional responses.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Healthcare professionals' attitudes towards Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected clients are crucial for effective patient care.
- Understanding these attitudes informs training and support strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess nurses' reactions to the prospect of caring for patients with HIV.
- To identify the range and complexity of nurses' sentiments regarding HIV care.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study utilizing a sentence-completion format.
- A random sample of 502 nurses provided 3,180 responses.
- Card sorting was employed to categorize thematic responses into caring, care as usual, and avoidance.
Main Results:
- The dominant themes were 'care as usual' (37.6%), 'avoidance' (34%), and 'caring' (28%).
- Over 88% of nurses' responses fit into at least two thematic categories.
- More than 51% of nurses expressed sentiments across all three categories (caring, care as usual, avoidance).
Conclusions:
- Nurses exhibit a wide spectrum of opinions and concerns when anticipating care for HIV-infected clients.
- These complex and often simultaneous reactions highlight the need for comprehensive support and education for nurses in HIV care settings.