1990s Hospital AIDS Educational Series

1990s Hospital AIDS Educational Series

By Margot Metcalfe, January, 2024

I want this to be about these wonderful men; putting it in context involved writing about myself as well. Much of this is constructed from one document – the summation of an extensive evaluation process at one hospital after the series there was completed. That summation reflects confidential information and so cannot be published.

In the fall of 1989, Nova Scotia was still in the thralls of the worst of the AIDS epidemic. It was considered that anyone who acquired the HIV virus would die. Tragically, this was largely true then. And - those with the disease would often die alone - because of the fear of contagion.

Healthcare workers were sometimes avoiding the rooms of AIDS patients. If forced to enter, they often did so in full hazmat suits.

It was in this context that I developed an extensive educational series on many aspects of HIV/AIDS for two of the rural hospitals which I served as Staff Education Coordinator. This was an opportunity to provide accurate information about the transmission of the disease - and to increase understanding of the impact of the disease on those who had it. I also saw it as an opportunity to alter the sense of stigma that was attached to gay men resulting, in part, because of this pandemic.

In early 1990, the series was begun under my leadership for both hospitals (Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital, Sheet Harbour and Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital, Musquodoboit Harbour) examining many aspects of healthcare for those with HIV/AIDS. Notably, in this endeavour, the program was supported by hospital administrators; medical and nursing specialists; Karen Pyra, from the Metro Committee on AIDS, and some very brave gay men with AIDS.

As can be seen from the outline below, the series began gently with lots of information about the ways in which the disease is transmitted and videos about the experiences of persons with AIDS and their loved ones. Fifty-five sessions were held, some focusing on specific areas such as nursing, housekeeping and the dietary staff. Others were broader and intended for all staff. Administration required attendance of all staff at each segment.

Eventually, as the series proceeded, the following men, living with AIDS, helped in opening our eyes and minds: Eric Smith, Bruce Davidson, Peter Woods, and Mike MacDonald, and one other whose name I have lost.1

To sit in a room with these kind gentle men nudged us all to a greater openness and acceptance. One, sharing his experience as a married man with children, who was also a gay man with AIDS, brought incredible courage. Mike MacDonald, a gay Catholic priest with AIDS likewise came prepared to handle many strong opinions.

The presence and experience of each of these five men was moving and touching. Attitudes changed where they needed changing, or reinforced acceptance where it already existed. That is not to say that all these sessions lacked drama. Mike MacDonald’s, for example, rarely got around to discussing grieving – instead he engaged in intense conversations with Catholic healthcare workers who attended. He dealt with this with kindness, honestly and patience.

Evaluations of the series were generally very high and indicated considerable movement of attitudes in a direction that would benefit AIDS patients and gay men. Some hesitancy about working with an AIDS co-worker remained.

Within a brief period after the series, three of these men were to die. Mike MacDonald lived another six years. The exception was Eric Smith, who is alive still at the time of this writing.

My memory at this late date suggests that most of the men drove with me from Halifax to the hospitals. So, I had the added gift of time with them. In every way, I am grateful to them.

Outline

I. AIDS – AN INTRODUCTION: This was an introduction to the administration's interest in HIV infection and into Hospital policies regarding HIV infection. It was led by me, the Staff Education Coordinator, with engagement by either the Administrator or the Director of Nursing. It was followed by a video on AIDS. (Offered at ten different times in January and February)

II. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: AIDS and Nursing - (a) prepared by Pat Batstone, Community Health Nurse, District 11. (Delivered once at Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital.) (b) a video, exercise, and discussion session facilitated by Cathy Misener, Nurse Educator. (Delivered once at Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital and twice at Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital.) AIDS - The Disease and Its Epidemiology - a special presentation by Dr Donald Langille, district Health officer, Cobequid Health Unit, Truro (Delivered once at Twin Oaks.) Infection Control for Housekeeping, Maintenance and Dietary staff - a video and discussion session for these departments facilitated by myself, Staff Education Coordinator. (Four sessions, two at each hospital.)

III. AIDS IN THE WORKPLACE A presentation by myself, Staff Education Coordinator, involving a short factual video and a drama video and a short group discussion. This session focused on working with a co-worker with AIDS. (Nine sessions between both hospitals.)

IV. AIDS - A FAMILY EXPERIENCE: A look at the variety of reactions people have when someone close to them is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. These sessions were conducted by a representative from the Metro Committee on AIDS, Karen Pyra, program coordinator, and some of the men mentioned above.

V. THE AIDS PATIENT: A look at the AIDS patient, the course and treatment of the disease and the relationship between workers and patients. These sessions were conducted by representatives of the Persons with AIDS Coalition, as mentioned above. (Ten sessions between both hospitals.)

VI. DEALING WITH DEATH AND DYING: These sessions were led by Mike MacDonald, who was a member of the clergy and a person with AIDS. He aimed to address the grieving process and the prospective grief faced in losing AIDS patients to death. (Eight sessions between both hospitals.)

Categories: AIDSHistoryCategory