Themes from the frontlines: hospital social work with people with AIDS

There is little in the literature that specifically explores challenges and perceived rewards faced by direct care social work practitioners who work with an inpatient AIDS population, although there are hints (Egan, 1993, Oktay, 1992, and Gilmann, 1991). This article, based on a study of 20 designated inpatient AIDS social workers at four large inner-city voluntary hospitals, will focus on challenges and rewards as perceived by social work practitioners working with the HIV infected population. The study will report commonly identified themes which include unique stressors, rewards and challenges experienced by social work practitioners working with those living with AIDS.