The behaviors of AIDS patients toward their nurses

The purpose of this study is to identify the behavioral responses of hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS to nursing care providers. The critical incident technique, developed by Flanagan (1954) was used to obtain a listing of the behavioral responses. Patients were asked to recall brief descriptions of caregiving events. A purposive sample included 118 men and women with HIV/AIDS from broad socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. A total of 273 critical incidents yielded a listing of 393 behaviors. The analysis of data was facilitated by a computer program which allowed for the creation of coding systems and refinement of coded items into behavioral response categories. The inductive content analysis yielded 10 major response categories: participate, anger, appreciate, come close, stay away, match respect, match disrespect, dependent, complaint, and self care. In the largest category, 41% of the patients described ways in which they participate actively in their nursing care. These behavioral responses sharply contrast with current literature which continues to place a negative emphasis on the attitudes and behaviors of nurses. One third of the patients listed angry behaviors which were directed at nurses. Behavioral descriptions of anger reflected increased irritability with advancing illness, intense psychological responses toward an AIDS diagnosis, or a violent and angry style of relating to others in street settings. Two of the response categories describe the reciprocal nature of nurse-patient interactions. By becoming aware of patient responses, nurses will obtain a greater understanding of what changes would influence outcomes in patient behavior.