What challenges might working with clients living with HIV/AIDS or clients who are homosexual pose for you personally?

Question

As an employee of a private, nonprofit HIV/AIDS clinic in a rural North Carolina community, Linda Summerfield’s job was to provide direct services to people with HIV/AIDS as well as to connect them with resources. Aware of their needs, she also respected their need for confidentiality and anonymity in an area where issues surrounding HIV/AIDS were highly charged and prejudice was common. In 1999, Linda was also eager to help six men in her caseload who were struggling with uncertainty, loneliness, and isolation. Aware of their shared needs, she believed in the healing power of group work for such clients. Although initially reluctant, the six men agreed to “meet” via telephone and, despite their apprehension and some technical difficulties, after five weeks all agreed that the experience was helpful. But when meeting via telephone became unworkable, Linda faced decisions over whether and how or where to persuade the men to continue meeting.

Answer 1

Social workers are challenged to respect all persons, to treat them with dignity, to fight oppression, and to promote social and economic justice. At the same time, the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (1999) warns social workers to practice only in fields where they are competent and to utilize ongoing self-assessment. In addition to all of the other case-related decisions, social workers must regularly resolve personal dilemmas regarding competency to practice.