HIV/AIDS education survey for mental health professionals.

ABSTRACT

A total of 6804 mental health professionals, e.g., licensed and certified psychologists, licensed professional counselors, in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas were mailed a questionnaire regarding HIV/AIDS topics professionals might recommend for educational programs. Participants were asked to rate how strongly they would recommend each topic. The return rate was 31% (2121). The percentage of participants who did not recommend the topics was low (0.7%-10.9%). Most topics were either recommended (6.5%-50.2%) or strongly recommended (29.0%-92.8%). Topics with ratings of 80% of participants endorsing the strongly recommended rating included psychological crises associated with learning one is HIV positive, psychosocial issues, and counseling dying clients regarding grief, loss, and legal issues. The results are discussed in terms of continuing to develop educational programs targeting mental health professionals.