Grappling with Realities: Policy and Practice in HIV Social Work |
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| Authors: | Gary Hampton Michael Buggy Jenni Graves Lisa McCann Jude Irwin |
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| Institution: | 1. Social Workers in HIV (SWHIV), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;2. ADAHPS (AIDS Dementia and HIV Psychiatric Service) South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;3. Albion Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;4. Prince of Wales Hospital, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;5. Sydney Sexual Health Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;6. Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Abstract: | In 2012 the NSW HIV Strategy 2012–2015: A New Era was released, with a goal of eradicating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by 2020. This new policy, prioritising biomedical treatment, has raised challenges for social work practitioners working in the HIV field. We undertook a research project exploring the implications of the Strategy on social work clients and practice. A questionnaire was sent to 57 HIV social workers and 32 (56.1%) responses were received. Thematic analysis identified five main themes affecting social workers and their clients. These were a new stigma, treatment benefits, the complexity of people's lives, the psychosocial voice, and ethical and professional tensions. We propose that a more holistic HIV strategy including the psychosocial realities that inform HIV transmission, testing and treatment options, and adherence be adopted. |
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| Keywords: | AIDS and HIV Clinical Practice Social Work Practice Social Work History Social Workers Gay and Lesbian Issues |
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