Hyvonen M; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. WePeF6873.
Finnish Aids Council, Helsinki, Finland
ISSUES: An adjustment training course is an effective method of psychosocial support for people living with HIV (PLWH). Sharing experiences with other PLWH in a safe and relaxed atmosphere is very empowering and helps people to find their own resources. DESCRIPTION: In Finland adjustment training is a popular form of rehabilitation for individuals and families living with a chronic disease. The Finnish AIDS Council organises every year about 10 adjustment training courses for HIV-positive people. The courses are free of charge and last 2-4 days. They are usually in the country at a course centre or a spa and have 6-8 clients and 2-3 workers, family courses 10-20 clients (also HIV-negative family members) and 5-7 workers. They consist of daily group discussions, where operational techniques may be used, excursions, often physical exercises or relaxing treatments and leisure time. The emphasis is on the group process, peer support and empowerment. The working team's main role is to create a safe and peaceful setting for the clients. The participants are the experts of their own lives, so visiting experts are seldom used. The courses are goal-oriented: the personal goals defined in the beginning of the course are evaluated during and in the end of it. The courses give the participants an opportunity to explore and to define their own situation and needs better, to find their own resources, when mirroring towards other people in the group, and to relax. By telling their own stories to each other people strengthen their identities and learn from each other's experiences. LESSONS LEARNED: The courses are built more and more under certain themes, like nature, sports or culture. Combining group discussions with pleasurable and recreational activities done together as a group is empowering and deepens the processing of living with HIV. RECOMMENDATIONS: Courses are developed using feedback questionnaires about each course and our research project of resources of PLWH.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Behavior
- Communication
- Culture
- Demography
- Finland
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Planning Guidelines
- Humans
- Interpersonal Relations
- Research
- education
- methods
- organization & administration
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102256763
From Meeting Abstracts