Facilitating support groups for professionals working with people with AIDS

Social workers, nurses, and other health care professionals who work with people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are experiencing burnout from the excessive demands on their energy, strength, and resources. Support groups, with their focus on awareness, shared experiences, supportive and helping relationships, and the emotional consequences of working with people with AIDS, help health care professionals manage stress and enhance their capacity and effectiveness to work with these clients. In addition, support groups help participants feel less isolated and share feelings regarding such difficult issues as death, anger, helplessness, and loss. The use of this type of group work is identified, including its administration, effective intervention techniques, and issues of health care professionals who work with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Problems related to group membership and dropout rates are explored as unresolved issues.