title: Plague Doctors in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Mental Health Professionals and the "San Francisco Model," 1981-1990.
abstract: Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals were among the first and most crucial responders to HIV/AIDS. Given an epidemic in which behavior and identity played fundamental roles, mental health professionals were uniquely positioned to conduct social research to explain the existence and spread of disease; to develop clinical understanding of psychological aspects of HIV/AIDS as they emerged; and to collaborate with affected communities to promote education and behavioral change. This study examines the roles of mental health professionals as "plague doctors" in San Francisco's response to HIV/AIDS, in the early years of the epidemic. Among the many collaborations and projects that distinguished the "San Francisco model" of response to this plague, bathhouse-based epidemiology, consult-liaison psychiatry, and community partnerships for counseling and education are examined in detail as illustrations of the epidemic-changing engagement of the mental health community.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Blair
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000266:history* / Q000523:psychology; D058872:Epidemics / Q000266:history*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000266:history* / Q000523:psychology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008603:Mental Health / Q000592:standards; D010820:Physicians / Q000266:history* / Q000592:standards; D012495:San Francisco