Survival Bonding:

Abstract

There is ample literature describing the ongoing stressors and tremendous emotional impact on health care professionals caring for patients with AIDS. This paper is a report of a research study which explored collegial relationships and staff retention to determine factors that reduced staff burnout. The study explored an observed phenomenon of pairing among staff members of various disciplines, working with patients with AIDS, in a tertiary care hospital. The authors called this phenomenon "survival bonding." These informal but intense relationships offered staff a mutually supportive environment which reduced their anxiety, stress, and helped prevent burnout. Given the growing volume of HIV infected persons, and the increased work load of many health care professionals in the aids field, it is important to understand the complex emotional and social support needs of staff to prevent burnout and to improve staff recruitment and retention.

Circumventing Burnout in AIDS Care

“…As evidenced by the participantS' coping strategies, this study has i!lusrrated the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between individuals and institutions in managing work-related stress among occupational therapistS who specialize in AIDS care. In fact, among the study participants, stress and burnout were not as prevalent or as severe as has been indicated in previous studies on AlDS care (Baker & Seager, 1991;Cooke, 1992;Frierson & Lippman, 1987;Gala et al, 1993;Piemme & Bolle, 1990;Shubin, 1989;Wade & Simon, 1993). Although Stressors were identified and discussed, none of the parricipants indicated that the stressors were unmanageable or threatened their ability to continue to function in their professional capacities over time.…”

“…In addition, because of their dedication, the participants may have been particularly motivated to develop and use individual coping strategies to maintain their professional com petency and effectiveness. Wade and Simon (1993) indicated that survival bonding among AIDS care specialists occurred in the early phase of the AlDS epidemic, before implementation of institutional stress management strategies. However, the participants in the current study continued to obtain informal support through bonding with colleagues, despite the fact that formal, institutionally bolstered suPPOrt programs were in place.…”

“…Previous studies have indicated that irrational fear of contagion and negative reactions to Stigmatized groups, such as gay men and persons who use IV drugs, were a major source of stress for health care workers (Baker & Seager, 1991;Cooke, 1992;Frierson & Lippman, 1987;Gala et al, 1993;Shubin, 1989;Wade & Simon, 1993).…”

“…, whereas srill orhers have advocared a collaborarive approach between rhese twO merhods (Macks & Abrams, 1992). However, rhere has been no clear consensus on what consritutes a successful suategy (Cooke, 1992), nor has the long-term effectiveness of these prevenrions been documenred (Wade & Simon, 1993). Most of these studies of the stressors in providing care to persons with AIDS have been published in the physician, nursing, and social work lirerature.…”