[The psychological impact of HIV infection and the "burn-out" syndrome amongst health care workers dealing with HIV seropositive and AIDS patients].

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) health care personnel is faced with a life threatening disease and with problems concerning fear of contagion and sense of professional inadequacy in dealing with chronically and terminal patients who may be suffering from psychosocial and neuropsychiatric problems. Therefore, HIV/AIDS health care workers may develop the "burn-out syndrome" (BOS) that is characterized by emotional distress, lowered job productivity and spread of work problems to family and conjugal relationships. BOS aetiology involves individual, organizational and socio-cultural factors and its consequences may negatively affect quality of care of HIV/AIDS patients. BOS prevention includes continuing staff training and education on HIV-related issues and support groups for health workers.