Abstract
A survey of undergraduate students (n = 1,390) was conducted to determine their self-perceptions of their educational preparation to care for persons with HIV disease. HIV/AIDS content was included in the curricula of 97% of the respondents, with hours of instruction ranging from 0 to 18 with a mean of five. School policies regarding HIV clinical experiences varied from requiring all students to care for at least one AIDS patient to considering student preferences. Students (n = 944) perceived that faculty were willing to assign and supervise students in the care of HIV/AIDS patients. The majority of students (73%) believed that their preparation to care for AIDS patients was excellent or good. A genuine feeling of compassion was apparent in the responses of most students, and it was evident that faculty had taught students to care for HIV/AIDS patients without prejudice, and with respect for human life.
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