A young man of twenty has hemophilia. He has been sexually active without using condoms. Recently he had a blood test for AIDS that proved positive for HIV. You work for the Hemophilia Foundation as a counselor and educator for people at risk for AIDS and their families. On Tuesday he comes to you for help. He is devastated by the HIV-positive finding. He wants you to go with him to talk to his girlfriends and their parents about his recent diagnosis. You get appointments to go with him during the following week. On Friday, the hospital calls that he is in the intensive care unit with Pneumonia and AIDS.
1) What is your responsibility to the young man?
2) What, if any responsibility, do you have to talk with his girlfriends and their
parents? What if the young man dies before having a chance to talk with his girlfriends? Should you talk to them in his place?
3) Are your conversations with the young man to be kept confidential?
4) How does the Tarasoff case apply to the present situation? What was the
holding (ruling) in Tarasoff? Is it relevant to the present case? Why or why not?
5) Do psychologists have a duty to treat AIDS patients? Look in the relevant ethical codes.