Abstract
As we enter the second decade of AIDS, medical caregivers are experiencing stress and burnout as a result of their work with people with HIV diseases. There are common themes to the stress, as well as differences in the experience of stress according to the characteristics of the healthcare setting. Caregiver support groups are a means of reducing this stress by helping medical caregivers cope better, manage difficult cases, normalize their feelings, put understanding and context to their experiences, decrease isolation, and instill meaning in their work. The use of support groups across various medical settings is presented.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barlow, I. (1991). Clarifying the caregiver-client relationship.Focus: A Guide to AIDS Research and Counseling, 6(2), 3.
Blumenfield, M., Smith, P. J., Milazzo, J., Seropian, S., & Wormser, G. P. (1987). Survey of attitudes of nurses working with AIDS patients.General Hospital Psychiatry, 9, 58–63.
Bram, P. J., & Katz, L. F. (1989). A study of burnout in nurses working in hospice and hospital oncology settings.Oncology Nursing Forum, 16(4), 555–560.
D'Augelli, A. R. (1989). AIDS fears and homophobia among rural nursing personnel.AIDS Education and Prevention, 1(4), 277–284.
Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burn-out.Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–167.
Frost, J. C., Makadon, H. J., Judd, D., Lee, S., O'Neill, S. F., & Paulsen, R. (1991). Care for caregivers: A support group for staff caring for AIDS patients in a hospital-based primary care practice.Journal of General Internal Medicine, 6, 162–167.
Horstman, W., & McKusick, L. (1986). The impact of AIDS on the physician. In L. McKusick (Ed.),What to do about AIDS: Physician and mental health professionals assess the issues (pp. 64–74). Los Angeles: University Press.
Jackson, S. E., Schwab, R. L., & Schuler, R. S. (1986). Toward an understanding of the burnout phenomenon.Journal of Applied Psychology, 71(4), 630–640.
Kane, C. K., & Hogan, J. D. (1985–86). Death anxiety in physicians: Defensive style, medical specialty, and exposure to death.Omega, 16(1), 11–22.
Katz, I., Hass, G., Parisi, N., Astone, J., & McEvaddy, D. (1987). Lay people's and health care personnel's perceptions of cancer, AIDS, cardiac, and diabetic patients.Psychological Reports, 60, 615–629.
Kelly, J. A., St. Lawrence, J. S., Smith, S., et al. (1987a). Medical students' attitudes toward AIDS and homosexual patients.Journal of Medical Education, 62, 549–556.
Kelly, J. A., St. Lawrence, J. S., Smith, S., Hood, H. V., & Cook, D. J. (1987b). Stigmatization of AIDS patients by physicians.American Journal of Public Health, 77(7), 789–791.
Klonoff, E. A., & Ewers, D. (1990). Care of AIDS patients as a source of stress to nursing staff.AIDS Education and Prevention, 2(4), 338–348.
O'Donnell, L., O'Donnell, C. R., Pleck, J. H., Snarey, J., & Rose, R. M. (1987). Psychosocial responses to hospital workers to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 17(3), 269–285.
Oktay, J. S. (1992). Burnout in hospital social workers who work with AIDS patients.Social Work, 37(5), 432–439.
Pinhero, K., & Cassel, C. (1991). Group support for caregivers.Focus: A Guide to AIDS Research and Counseling, 6(2), 1–2.
Pomerance, L. M., & Shields, J. J. (1989). Factors associated with hospital workers' reactions to the treatment of persons with AIDS.AIDS Education and Prevention, 1(3), 184–193.
Renneker, R. E. (1957). Countertransference reactions to cancer.Psychosomatic Medicine, 19, 409–418.
Rothberg, J. M., Bain, M. W., Boggiano, W., Cline, W. R., Grace, W. C., Holloway, H. C., & Rock, N. L. (1990). Dealing with the stress of an HIV-positive diagnosis at an army medical center.Military Medicine, 155(3), 98–103.
Royse, D., & Birge, B. (1987). Homophobia and attitudes towards AIDS patients among medical, nursing, and paramedical students.Psychological Reports, 61, 867–870.
Silverman, D. C. (1993). Psychosocial impact of HIV-related caregiving on health providers: A review and recommendations for the role of psychiatry.American Journal of Psychiatry, 150(5), 705–712.
Simmons-Alling, S. (1984). Psychosocial needs of the health care worker.Topics in Clinical Nursing, 6, 31–37.
Strunin, L., Culbert, A., & Crane, S. (1989). First-year medical students' attitudes and knowledge about AIDS.AIDS Care, 1(1), 105–110.
Weisman, A. D. (1981). Understanding the cancer patient: The syndrome of caregiver's plight.Psychiatry, 44, 161–168.
Whalen, J. P. (1987). Participation of medical students in the care of patients with AIDS.Journal of Medical Education, 62, 53–54.
Williams, C. A. (1989). Empathy and burnout in male and female helping professionals.Research in Nursing & Health, 12, 169–178.
Williamson, P. (1991). Support groups: An important aspect of physician education.Journal of General Internal Medicine, 6(2), 179–180.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Nicholas Covino, Ph.D., Peter Kassel, Psy.D., Randall Paulsen, M.D., Veronica Rempusheski, Ph.D., Dan Silverman, M.D., and Susan Burns Tisdale, R.N., in ongoing research regarding caregiver support groups. The author also wishes to express gratitude to Genya Bernstein, Psy.D., for many editorial contributions.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Frost, J.C. Support groups for medical caregivers of people with HIV diseases. Group 18, 141–153 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01456585
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01456585