AIMS: Staff stress in HIV related palliative care has been identified as an important problem worldwide. This study aimed at estimating prevalence of staff stress and its correlates in a sample of palliative caregivers in HIV/AIDS in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two participants (29 female and 23 male) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), AIDS Contact Scale (ACS) and AIDS Stress Scale (ASS) and a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority (92%) had average to high scores on at least one domain of MBI. High scores on the factors Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalisation, and Personal Accomplishment were seen in 10%, 17% and 58% of the sample respectively. ASS score, severity of stress in dealing with persons living with AIDS and having considered leaving HIV related work were predictors of high Emotional Exhaustion scores. ASS score, ACS score and severity of stress with death of a person with AIDS were predictors of high Depersonalisation scores. Female gender was a predictor of a high Personal Accomplishment score. CONCLUSIONS: The study emphasises the need to address issues related to staff burnout in HIV palliative care.

AIM: To introduce palliative care into undergraduate medical and nursing education, and to ascertain if such training improved students' knowledge of palliative care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Third year nursing students and fourth year medical students at the St John's National Academy of Medical Sciences, Bangalore had five weekly lectures in palliative care. A 20 item questionnaire was administered to 4th year medical students before and after the educational intervention, and again after one year. The same questionnaire was administered to the control group of final year medical students. The questionnaire for 3rd and 4th year nursing students had 15 questions. RESULTS: The mean scores for medical students was 9.08 (S.D 2.5) in the pretest, 10.43 (S.D 1.63) in post-test I, and 8.43 (SD 1.36) in post test 2. The control group scored 8.36 (SD 2.52). The mean scores for nursing students was 8.7 (S.D 1.8) in the pretest, 10.73 (SD 2.63) in post test 1 and 8.23 (SD 4.1) in post test 2. The control group scored 8.13 (SD 2.39). CONCLUSION: There was no lasting improvement in knowledge scores in both groups of students. Inclusion of palliative care in the undergraduate teaching of medical and nursing students in India is feasible, but thought needs to be given to the curriculum content, teaching methods and evaluation techniques.

AIM: To ascertain how doctors and under graduate medical students in a teaching hospital felt about revealing and knowing the diagnosis of a life threatening illness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 850 respondents (200 pre clinical students, 300 clinical students, 100 interns, 150 postgraduate registrars and 100 faculty) were interviewed with the help of a set questionnaire. RESULTS: 70% of pre clinical students, 85% of clinical students and 89% of doctors stated that the diagnosis should be revealed. Women preclinical students, (60%), were significantly less in favour of the diagnosis being revealed than other groups. 81% of pre - clinical students, 89% of clinical students, 94% of postgraduates and 95% of faculty would want to know the diagnosis if they themselves were to develop a life threatening illness.