Issues of confidentiality when working with persons with AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has increasingly become a serious public health threat in our contemporary society. The number of cases has grown rapidly since the disease was first reported and the total number of cases has been estimated to be close to 270,000 in the United States alone, according to some sources (Gray, 1988). Many of the affected, their sexual partners and families, will be recipients of social work services. In addition to therapeutic skills for effective intervention, the issues of confidentiality and related legal and ethical implications warrant serious examination and consideration for all clinical social workers working with this population. Specific practice suggestions will be explored.