Evaluating HIV Mental Health Training: Changes in Practice and Knowledge for Social Workers and Case Managers

Changes in service delivery following HIV/AIDS education of medical and mental health service providers: Results of a one-year follow-up.

“…All trainings included segments delivered by “peers,” defined as individuals with mental health difficulties and/or individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Evaluation of 1600 participants in the Fundamentals curriculum (Linsk et al, 2002; Dancy, Despotes, Razzano & Cook, 2000) revealed significant improvements in trainees’ overall knowledge levels from pretest to posttest.…”

Therapist's Expectations of Psychotherapy Duration for Individuals Living with HIV

“…mon at the time of diagnosis and resurface throughout the course of the disease (Rosenberger et al,1993;Blechner, 1997;Linsk et al, 2002). While initial depressive symptoms and psychosocial distress have been found to decrease over time and psychosocial adjustment to illness increases (Judd et al, 2000), these gains may be limited to the time in which the individual is asymptomatic (Perry et al, 1993;Kalichman, 1998;Burnam et al, 2001).…”

“…In the recent literature there has been some attention given to therapist preparedness, and evaluation studies have reported success in increasing providers' knowledge in terms of the mental health aspects of HIV (Linsk et al, 2002). Because our understanding of the mental health impact of HIV and the most appropriate mechanisms for providing therapeutic responses is still evolving, many therapists have not had the opportunity to receive training specifically preparing them to work with individuals who are living with HIV.…”