Fear of contagion and AIDS: nurses' perception of risk

Gallop, Ruth; Lancee, William J.; Taerk, G; Coates, Randall A.; Fanning, Mary M.

doi:10.1080/09540129208251624

Cited by 28 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…Silverman (1993) discussed the symptomatic experiences of nurses including intrusive thoughts and mental images of AIDS patients, and psychological numbing with diminished interest in personal and professional activities. According to Gallop et al . (1992 ), nurses’ fear of contagion and risk included distrust of technology, distrust of health authorities, and distrust of information regarding AIDS, which created barriers to rationality and compassion in the care of patients with AIDS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of AIDS‐dedicated nurses in alleviating the stress of AIDS caregiving

Sherman

2000

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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From the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, there have been individuals dedicated to the care of patients with AIDS. However, there has been little research regarding their perceptions and experiences of AIDS caregiving and the strategies they use to alleviate the stress and promote their willingness to care. Based on the experiences of 12 nurses at one hospital, who had chosen to work on an AIDS-dedicated unit, this exploratory study, conducted in 1998, explored the following: the physical, emotional or spiritual risks and stresses associated with AIDS caregiving; factors that provide resistance to the stresses of AIDS caregiving and promote a willingness to care; and strategies recommended by AIDS-dedicated nurses in caring for patients with AIDS. The data reveal important themes related to the physical stress of AIDS caregiving, specifically being aware of risks, but not paralysed by fear, and bombardment of the senses. The coping strategies of nurses included taking the risk in their stride, reframing the risk, and protecting oneself. The emotional stress of AIDS caregiving included witnessing suffering, experiencing unresolved grief, accepting diversity, being emotionally connected, distress from the dismantling of the AIDS unit and work demands, and declining team spirit. Coping strategies included balancing personal and professional life, releasing pain, respecting yet controlling feelings, managing demands, and asking for help. Nurses maintained their spiritual perspective. They experienced through AIDS caregiving a greater sense of shared humanity and a new perspective of life. Findings indicate that AIDS-dedicated nurses use many coping strategies. The experiences of these nurses can assist clinicians, educators and administrators in supporting nurses' caregiving and promoting the quality of care offered to patients with AIDS.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of AIDS‐dedicated nurses in alleviating the stress of AIDS caregiving

Sherman

2000

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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“…The item relating to perceived risk of contagion did not load reliably on any one factor; this was perhaps not surprising since risk is usually distinguished at the theoretical level from sources of HIV/AIDS-related stress (e.g. Gallop et al, 1992b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Measuring the stress associated with caring for clients with HIV/AIDS

Niven¹,

Knussen²

1999

AIDS Care

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The AIDS-stress scale (Pleck et al., 1988) provides measures of the sources of stress faced by health care workers caring for people with AIDS. The aim of the study was to consider the utility of the scale as a means of identifying groups of health care workers who would benefit from intervention. Data were collected from a sample of Scottish health care workers (n = 140), all with known contact with clients with HIV or AIDS within the year prior to data collection. Three factors were derived from the AIDS-stress scale: 'lack of knowledge', 'discomfort' and 'work load'. Each showed a different pattern of association with occupational, training and attitudinal measures. The factor scores had some degree of concurrent validity and were not, in the main, associated with the desire to give socially desirable responses. The results were discussed in relation to appropriate interventions.

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“…Néanmoins il est possible, comme l'ont déjà prouvé Gallop et al (1992), qu'un vidéo présentant une personne atteinte aurait pu sensibiliser davantage le personnel soignant et augmenter leur compassion envers cette clientèle.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Attitudes du personnel soignant à l’egard des personnes atteintes du SIDA : impact d’un programme de sensibilisation

Paquin¹,

Lapierre²,

Jourdan-Ionescu³

2007

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Le but de cette recherche était d'évaluer l'impact d'un programme de sensibilisation à l'intervention auprès de patients atteints du SIDA chez un personnel soignant expérimenté et un personnel soignant en formation. Ce programme de sensibilisation a pour objectif de permettre aux soignants de se préparer psychiquement à oeuvrer auprès des personnes atteintes. Six groupes d'environ dix personnes visionnent un vidéo présentant une infirmière parlant de ses inquiétudes envers le SIDA. Les personnes sont encouragées à exprimer leurs propres émotions relativement à cette maladie et aux personnes atteintes. Les autres participants constituent le groupe contrôle et n'assistent pas à la rencontre. Tous les sujets (N= 124) ont répondu à des questionnaires d'attitudes et de connaissances sur le SIDA avant et après les rencontres. Les résultats indiquent une amélioration des attitudes face à l'homosexualité ainsi qu'une augmentation des connaissances sur le SIDA. Toutefois, ces observations ne semblent pas associées à une attitude plus favorable à l'égard des personnes atteintes. L'analyse des discussions montre qu'il existe un conflit entre le désir d'aider les patients et le sentiment de honte face à la difficulté d'être empathique à leur égard. Les auteures recommandent que les programmes de formation du personnel soignant visent à réduire ce conflit.The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of an awareness program aimed at experienced personnel and personnel in training who provide healthcare services to patients with AIDS. The purpose of the program was to prepare healthcare staff psychically in working with patients. Six groups of approximately ten people each watched a video showing a nurse stating her concerns about AIDS. After the video, people were encouraged to express their own emotions regarding the disease and people suffering from it. Other participants making up a control group did not attend the discussion. All subjects (N= 124) completed questionnaires on their attitudes and knowledge about AIDS before and after the discussion. Results show an improvement of attitudes with respect to homosexuality, as well as a better understanding of AIDS. However, these observations do not seem to correspond with a more favourable attitude towards AIDS patients. An analysis of these discussions reveals that there is a conflict between the will to help patients and the feeling of shame when faced with the difficulty of showing empathy. As a result, the authors recommend that training programs aimed at healthcare personnel be geared to alleviate this conflict

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Fear of contagion and AIDS: nurses' perception of risk

Cited by 28 publications

References 12 publications

Experiences of AIDS‐dedicated nurses in alleviating the stress of AIDS caregiving

Experiences of AIDS‐dedicated nurses in alleviating the stress of AIDS caregiving

Measuring the stress associated with caring for clients with HIV/AIDS

Attitudes du personnel soignant à l’egard des personnes atteintes du SIDA : impact d’un programme de sensibilisation

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