Interprofessional working: adoption assessments for people living with HIV

• Published date: 11 September 2017
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-02-2017-0005
• Pages: 277-287
• Date: 11 September 2017
• Author: Tam Pheona Chipawe Cane
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Inequalities & diverse/minority groups,Sociology,Race & ethnic studies,Minorities,Multiculturalism,Racial identity,Work, economy & organizations

Interprofessional working: adoption

assessments for people living with HIV

Tam Pheona Chipawe Cane

Abstract

Purpose –The purpose ofthis paper is to propose that interprofessional workingbetween professionals who

work with people living withHIV (PLWHIV ) contributes to improvements in thehealth, social care needs and

long-termoutcomes of PLWHIV. Interprofessionalworking initiatives have been usefulin promoting successful

frameworks used towards improving various aspects of the HIV disease family planning and transmission

prevention. The paper proposes that interprofessional working is important in elevating stigma and

discrimination that sometimes prevent PLWHIV from successfully achieving parenthood through adoption.

The objective of thisstudy is to contribute to social work practice and literature thatsupports adoption.

Design/methodology/approach –This paper draws on an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)

study looking at the experiences of PLWHIV going through the adoption process. The study relied on

in-depth interviews with six PLWHIV who had gone through the adoption process and presented views

regarding a need for better collaborative working by those assessing PLWHIV going through adoption.

The sample was purpose and homogeneous. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using IPA

framework. Transcripts had been written up and analysed individually. Following which a cross-case analysis

to create meaning and conceptual understanding that was common among all cases.

Findings –Drawing on themes around interprofessional working, this paper argues that there is a needfor

improved and transparent interprofessional working models within adoption systems. The paper provides

conceptualunderstanding around interprofessional workingand how this can be brought aboutto support the

needs of PLWHIVseeking to adopt children. Itproposes that working in isolationwill leave PLWHIV feelingthat

the adoption processis ambiguous and unfair, yet efforts tocombat this are evident in healthcare settings.

Research limitations/implications –Limitations to this study include an acceptable but small convenience

sample within IPA methodological approaches. This is a hard to reach sample and results may not

be generalisable.

Practical implications –This paper opens a dialogue for discussing issues around the adoption for

PLWHIV and informing professionals about increasing opportunities for PLWHIV to adopt children where

there is a high demand for adoptive parents.

Social implications –Placing the views of participants in this study within the body of knowledge could

influence meaningful collaboration between adoption social workers and those supporting PLWHIV within

health, social care and voluntary sectors. This may influence change and reduce stigma and barriers

preventing some PLWHIV from successfully adopting children.

Originality/value –This paper meets an identified need to explore how PLWHIV can be supported to

achieve parenthood. The paper expands on existing knowledge around the need to provide fertility treatment

to PLWHIV. It suggests that child adoption can be promoted through child adoption and ultimately promoting

normalcy around the desires of PLWHIV to achieve parenthood using non-traditional methods of conception.

Keywords HIV, Adoption, Interpretative phenomenological analysis, Interprofessional working

Paper type Research paper

Introduction

In 2013, approximately 107,800 people were living with HIV infection in the UK. Of these, 3,710

had CD4 count levels above 500 cells/mm

3

; they adhered to antiretroviral treatment and

were living steadily (Public Health England, 2014). Those with suppressed viral loads may not

require treatment and may live normal lives. The prevalence of HIV falls within the reproductive

age range of 15-59 years. It is likely that men and women in this group will consider parenthood,

be it naturally or through surrogacy or adoption (Gerrand, 2012). More recent work by

Received 10 February 2017

Revised 30 May 2017

12 July 2017

Accepted 12 July 2017

Declaration of interest: there are

no conflicts of interest. This paper

is drawn from a doctoral thesis

and some concepts may be linked

to other papers to be published in

due course. The doctoral thesis

was subject to peer review by way

of a supervisory support and

internal and external examinations.

The author alone is responsible for

this particular paper.

The author is grateful to all

participants living with HIV who

took part in this study, the

Terrence Higgins Trust, and

African Eye for helping to promote

this study. The author thanks all

the agencies and charitable

organisations supporting PLWHIV

who helped promote this study.

Tam Pheona Chipawe Cane is

a Senior Lecturer and

Programme Leader at the

Department of Psychology,

Social Work and Counselling,

University of Greenwich,

London, UK.

DOI 10.1108/IJHRH-02-2017-0005 VOL. 10 NO. 4 2017, pp.277-287, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2056-4902

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