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

Abstract

As medical interventions aimed at prolonging the lives of people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are implemented, HIVIAIDS is evolving into a chronic disease with associated disability. People with HIV/AIDS can experience numerous occupational performance problems and occupational therapists need to examine and develop their role in helping to meet the needs of this population. Acute-care occupational therapists work with clients with HIV/AIDS who experience multiple admissions and luho present with varying levels of occupational function. This paper outlines the potential role of occupational therapy in acute care with clients with HIV/AIDS using the Model of Occupational Performance (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, 1991) as a conceptual framework. The results of a retrospective chart review that investigated the role of two occupational therapists working with clients with HIV/AIDS in an acute-care setting are presented and compared with the potential role. Practice and research recommendations to address the discrepancies between the potential and present role are presented. © Whurr Publishers Ltd.