Document 0676
 DOCN  M9460676
 TI    Mandatory HIV testing and occupational therapists.
 DT    9404
 AU    Falk-Kessler J; Barnowski C; Salvant S; Programs in Occupational
       Therapy, Columbia University, New York,; New York.
 SO    Am J Occup Ther. 1994 Jan;48(1):27-37. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94161176
 AB    OBJECTIVES. As the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
       increases, so does the prevalence of HIV-positive health care workers.
       This study explored what effect this will have on occupational therapy
       service provision. Attitudes and policies of 118 occupational therapy
       administrators were examined in relation to mandatory testing for HIV,
       attitudes on treating HIV-positive patients, working with HIV-positive
       staff members and students, and use of Centers for Disease Control's
       guidelines on universal precautions. METHODS. A stratified sample of 200
       occupational therapy administrators, drawn proportionally from all
       occupational therapy fieldwork centers, was sent questionnaires. The
       respondents (N = 118) were asked questions reflecting policy and
       attitude regarding HIV-positive staff members, students, and patients
       and mandatory testing. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses
       were computed to examine variances related to policy, ethics, and
       attitudes. RESULTS. Few occupational therapy departments have policies
       regarding HIV-positive health care workers or students. Those policies
       in place involve disability discrimination acts and using universal
       precautions. More than one third of the respondents support mandatory
       testing of all health care workers and notifying patients if their
       occupational therapist is HIV-positive. A large minority of respondents
       would either refuse to hire or train an HIV-positive therapist or
       student, or would restrict patient care responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS.
       Although most occupational therapy administrators adhere to CDC
       guidelines and anti-discrimination policies, some concern and fear was
       expressed regarding HIV transmission through occupational therapy
       practice. This may result in administrative decisions regarding work and
       training responsibilities that are unnecessarily restrictive, such as
       limiting all patient care responsibilities.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PREVENTION & CONTROL/
       PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Adult  *Attitude of Health Personnel  AIDS
       Serodiagnosis/*LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD  Disease Transmission,
       Patient-to-Professional/*PREVENTION &  CONTROL  Disease Transmission,
       Professional-to-Patient/*PREVENTION &  CONTROL  Ethics, Professional
       Fear  Female  Health Policy/LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD  Human  HIV
       Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Male  Middle
       Age  Occupational Exposure/ADVERSE EFFECTS  Occupational
       Therapy/*LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD  Prejudice  Refusal to
       Treat/LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD  Risk Factors  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).