Perceptions of AIDS Counselling: A View from Health Professionals And AIDS Counsellors

This is a report of a descriptive study of health care workers' and counsellors' perceptions of AIDS counselling. The study involved the in-depth interviewing of 21 health care workers and AIDS counsellors. Interviews were continued until no new issues were discussed by respondents. Two types of content analysis were used to explore the data, including a modified form of grounded theory. It was found that most of the respondents felt that people with AIDS were stigmatised, had a fear of dying and had concerns about relationships. It was felt that AIDS counsellors were the most appropriate people to help with emotional and life crises, although other sorts of helpers were also identified. The person in the street's view of the person with AIDS usually involved fear and fear was the most discussed emotion in the study. Much homophobia was also noted amongst the general public. It was felt that the general public needed more education about AIDS and about the person with AIDS. It was also felt that all nurses should have a working knowledge of the disease and that some should train as counsellors. Respondents also discussed what they thought were important elements for an AIDS counselling course and what they felt to be the most difficult aspects of the job. Perceptions of AIDS Counselling has implications for the planning of AIDS counselling courses and for the development of AIDS counselling services. It offers a perspective on the subject from the counsellors' point of view.Burnard, Philip is the author of 'Perceptions of AIDS Counselling: A View from Health Professionals And AIDS Counsellors' with ISBN 9781856283052 and ISBN 1856283054.