title: Responding to the patient who has AIDS.
abstract: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has burrowed its way into the fabric of American society. Unless we recognize the extensive and permanent damage it can do there, we are going to lose more than human lives. The tradition of medicine is that physicians do not abandon the sick, whoever they are and whatever they have done, and overall Americans can be proud of the way we have successfully faced the challenge of fairness. Now, however, we need to focus on the "professional will to respond." Doing so means providing support to the individual physician, ensuring that everyone in the profession is informed about AIDS and makes all necessary adjustments of behavior and commitment. The medical profession must lead the public and other health professionals in responding morally, ethically, personally, and professionally to the AIDS epidemic. Otherwise, physicians will be relegated to the sidelines as the electorate, courts, and government agencies debate and adjudicate AIDS issues.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Public Health Service, Rockville, MD 20857.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Koop
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations