[Medical-psychosocial HIV ambulatory care within the scope of anonymous and free AIDS counseling in HIV antibody testing].

It is essential for HIV-positive outpatients to come to terms with their disease by learning to accept their new situation and to adjust their lives to it. Since 1988 the HIV-outpatient welfare centre at the Düsseldorf Public Health Department has been taking care of HIV-positive outpatients, offering a combination of examination and psychosocial support. This programme begins with the first visit preceding the HIV-AK test. The outpatients find the active psychological support very helpful. The care provided helps them to cope with their disease. In this way, the first consultation will lead to a continual care programme under the same conditions (anonymous and free of charge). The medical programme consists of: outpatient examination; physico-immunological 'staging'; establishing individual plans of diagnosis The medical programme is developed exclusively for patients without signs and symptoms. If immunological or clinical signs or symptoms are present, the patient is referred to a suitable HIV-outpatient care clinic. The psychosocial care continues in every case. Psychosocial care consists of: advice on common and alternative therapy for those suffering from HIV disease measures to help strengthen the immune system (e.g. nutrition); psychotherapy in personal crisis (e.g. depressive reaction); care for dying patients; special advice concerning disability pension, invalidity and general social welfare problems.