Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Intervention With AIDS Patients

Abstract

The role of psychosocial occupational therapy with AIDS patients is explored. The clinical picture is defined, information regarding the transmission, incidence, diagnosis, and treatment is presented, and the impact of the illness on the developmental life cycle is described. The occupational behavior framework is used to guide evaluation and intervention and case examples are provided. Finally, fears and issues affecting therapists working with these patients are explored.

Daily Life for Eight Urban Gay Men With HIV/AIDS

“…Occupational therapy practitioners working with persons with HIV/AIDS address psychosocial, physical, and cognitive performance component problems such as depression, fatigue, pain, poor motor control, and memory loss; difficulties in particular performance areas such as basic and instrumental activities of daily living, leisure pursuits, and work transition; and issues and problems associated with performance contexts such as necessary modifications of the physical environment at home and reasonable accommodations at the workplace (American Occupational Therapy Association, 1996;Bedell, 1994;Denton, 1987;Guiles & Allen, 1987;Marcil & Tigges, 1992;McCreedy, Personius, & Bedell, 1990;Pizzi & Johnson, 1990;Schindler, 1988). Although literature exists that describes occupational therapy intervention for persons with HIV/AIDS, there has been limited research conducted in occupational therapy that has described the reported experiences of men who are gay and other individuals living with HIV/AIDS.…”

HIV/AIDS: A New Service Continuum for Occupational Therapy

“…Throughout the progression of the disease the individual must cope with reducing physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning and so continued support is essential. Schindler (1988) highlighted the changes in developmental tasks that a person with HIV/AIDS faces. The individual is suddenly facing tasks and situations usually appropriate for people 20 to 40 years older.…”

“…There are also significant issues around the potential to infect others. This period following diagnosis may prove so psychologically stressful that it results in reactive psychiatric symptoms, such as depression or anxiety (Schindler, 1988). Throughout the progression of the disease the individual must cope with reducing physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning and so continued support is essential.…”

The potential role of occupational therapy in acute care with clients with HIV/AIDS

“…The American occupational therapy literature has explored legal and ethical issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and has evaluated the attitudes of occupational therapy personnel towards this population (Cornblatt et al, 1989;Hansen, 1989;Atchinson et al, 1990). The role of occupational therapy with people with HIV/AIDS has been conceptualized using Kielhofner's Model of Human Occupation (Kielhofner, 1985;Pizzi, 1989) and broad frameworks have been outlined for out-patient and psychosocial intervention (Gutterman, 1990;Schindler, 1988). Much of the driving force in defining the role of occupational therapy for people with HIV/AIDS has been developed from the work of Pizzi who has conducted a conceptual and theoretical exploration of the role of occupational therapy with people with HIV/AIDS.…”