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Biomedical subjects

M D Knox

Publications and source records attributed to M D Knox.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

HIV risk factors for persons with serious mental illness.

HIV risk factors were assessed among 120 persons in treatment for serious mental illness. Although subjects had good general knowledge regarding HIV, many engaged in high risk behaviors. Condom use was infrequent among those who had multiple sexual partners, and sharing needles was common for those who used i.v. drugs. Clearly, factual knowledge about HIV was not sufficient to prevent risky behavior. Nearly half of the sample was categorized as at medium to high risk, and almost half of the participants, especially those at medium risk, underestimated their own level of risk. The results suggest that education and intervention strategies should focus on increasing the accuracy of the individual's risk assessment as well as changing attitudes towards condoms and improving skills in using condoms. Assessing personal risk and adopting risk-reduction strategies are the keys to successful AIDS prevention for persons with serious mental illness.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The HIV mental health spectrum.

The growing mental health needs that are related to HIV are immense and diverse. The HIV mental health spectrum is a model that identifies and characterizes populations in need of HIV-related services which can be offered by Community Mental Health Centers. The spectrum describes the specialized service requirements for each of these populations, the challenges in providing these services, and staff training needs. The authors propose this as a useful model for clinicians, researchers, educators, and administrators in planning to meet the needs of this expanding epidemic.

Community Mental Health Centers↗
PubMed1994

Training HIV specialists for community mental health.

There is a critical need for trained HIV mental health specialists who possess the knowledge and attitudes necessary to meet the challenges of the HIV epidemic. A model for an intensive and experimental continuing education tutorial is briefly described, and evaluative data are presented. Upon completion of the three-day workshop, participants show an increase in HIV-related knowledge and a positive shift in attitudes regarding working with people affected by HIV disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Early HIV detection: a community mental health role.

This paper documents the changing need for early detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and proposes a role for community mental health centers (CMHCs). Ignorance of HIV infection status can result in greater risk of medical complications and denies the individual the opportunity to take the steps necessary to prolong life and prevent further transmission of the virus. Individuals who know they are infected can obtain good medical care, avoid infection, avoid becoming pregnant, behave responsibly and plan their lives appropriately. Advances in specific therapeutics now make it important for infected individuals to know their HIV status well before becoming overly ill. The social history, sexual history, drug use history, and physical and mental status of each client will provide important clues regarding infection status. Reluctance to refer for testing because of concerns about level of stress, liability and confidentiality should be tempered by a policy of referring for testing whenever any indication of infection arises.

Community Mental Health Centers↗
PubMed1991

Mental health and substance abuse staff: HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes.

Mental health and substance abuse treatment staff completed a set of measures assessing their attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs concerning AIDS. Results indicated that while most staff were aware of basic information about the disease, approximately one-third were not aware of the neuropsychological and psycho-behavioural concomitants of the disorder. Those surveyed were aware of the main transmission routes, but overgeneralized their concern to casual contact. Most staff indicated willingness to work with HIV-infected individuals, although 29% stated they would try to avoid working with them. Interestingly, mental health staff expressed greater hesitancy than substance abuse staff. These and other results are interpreted to suggest that some desensitization of concern may have already occurred among those who have worked with HIV-positive clients. Individuals who had worked with an HIV-positive client had greater knowledge, less discomfort, and were less likely to want to avoid those who are HIV-positive. Questions attempting to identify sources of discomfort in working with AIDS or HIV-positive clients suggested that fear of contagion may be the primary concern, followed by discomfort of working with the terminally ill, and then discomfort with IV drug users and homosexuals. The implications of these results for continuing education activities and staff readiness are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

The HIV clinical tutorial for community mental health professionals.

HIV disease is an emerging community mental health concern. The need for specialized training to help community mental health professionals develop comprehensive knowledge and skills to serve this new population of clients is evident. The HIV clinical tutorial model is an innovative approach to continuing education characterized by an experiential and clinical orientation, a small participant group, and an interdisciplinary faculty. The three-day intensive workshop provides participants with experiences that can alter their perspective toward clients affected by HIV/AIDS and toward the role of the mental health system in responding to this epidemic. Similar training programs should be developed nationwide through collaboration among medical schools, teaching hospitals, public health departments and community mental health centers.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed1989

Community mental health's role in the AIDS crisis.

Mental Health concomitants of the AIDS crisis are reviewed along with recommendations for a community mental health response. Proposed interventions range from traditional clinical services to support groups, case management, day treatment, training of caregivers, outreach, consultation, and community education. It is recommended that, at the very least, each community mental health center identify an AIDS specialist who will keep abreast of the rapidly changing information and become the in-house expert. The author predicts that AIDS is likely to become the major mental health problem of the next decade.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Administrative challenges to working with HIV-positive clients: experiences of mental health and substance abuse program directors in Florida.

Administrators of publicly-funded mental health and substance abuse programs described their agencies' activities, policy development, the administrative impediments, and training needs related to caring for HIV-infected clients. Almost all have served HIV-infected clients and admit clients to their programs regardless of HIV status. The administrators reported little staff opposition to working with this clientele. Liability and confidentiality concerning testing and client/staff safety were major concerns. The difficulty of providing needed medical care and the expense of treating such clients were also viewed as major impediments to service delivery. The most critical training needs were for mental health interventions related to death and dying, grief counseling, and neuropsychological complications, as well as for policy and procedure development concerning legal and ethical issues.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

AIDS and CMHCs.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Mental health care providers: the need for AIDS education.

Mental health care providers completed a set of measures assessing their attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs concerning AIDS. Those surveyed were aware of the main transmission routes but were excessively concerned about casual contact. Most indicated that they are not competent to deal with AIDS patients and would prefer not to care for them. The majority favored client testing and segregated programs for HIV-infected persons. Additional AIDS-related education and staff support are needed to overcome irrational beliefs and prejudice.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Factors affecting psychiatrists' availability to serve in public programs.

This paper examines the factors contributing to reduced psychiatric participation in community mental health centers and state hospitals. Important considerations include level of compensation, other incentives, experiences during medical education, affiliation with medical settings, and licensing requirements. Suggestions are offered which may improve recruitment and retention of psychiatrists, as well as increase psychiatric involvement in the public mental health sector.

Community Mental Health Services↗