RESIDENTS PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWAR D THE CARE OF PERSONS WITH AIDS IN 3 FRENCH AREAS

This study has been conducted to clarify certain issues regarding resi dency training with regard to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS ). The objective was to evaluate resident physicians' experiences in, and attitudes toward, the care of persons with AIDS in France, The des ign was a cross sectional study, using a self administered mailed ques tionnary to 627 residents in 3 French areas: Ile-de-France, Nord-Pas d e Calais and Provence-Cote d'Azur, with a follow up of non responders. The subjects of this study were a random sample of residents in the s econd year of speciality medicine or family, medicine residencies (bio logical residents, surgeons, public health residents and research resi dents were excluded). The response rate was 56%. More than half of res idents indicated that their training was deficient in AIDS ambulatory care and less of 40% felt competent to provide usual and primary care for AIDS patients. The social and psychosocial aspect of care seems to be the greatest difficulties for them. About the half of residents re ported at least one needle stock contaminated by a patient's blood. Ne edle stick injuries from patients known to have HIV infection were rep orted by 8% of them. About 25% expressed great concern about the profe ssional risk of HIV contamination and 24% indicated it is dangerous to provide care for AIDS patients. It appears that an important componen t of future education in medical residency programs should emphasize s trategies to address social and psychosocial issues in the medical car e of AIDS patients and to decrease the risk of needle stick injuries.