Attitudes and behaviors of medical technologists as a result of AIDS.

To determine the influence of AIDS on the attitudes and behaviors of medical technologists, a survey was taken which shows that one quarter are considering leaving the field. Individuals who plan to stay in the profession are less fearful of AIDS, more satisfied with the policies their organizations have established regarding AIDS, and less willing to associate a declining employment situation to AIDS. Improvement in safe laboratory practices is present in both groups, but the individuals considering a move out of the field exhibit the largest change. A surprising result in that fear of AIDS is not related to or only weakly associated with traditional demographic and occupational variables, suggesting that other more complex factors are influencing the views and work habits of medical technologists as a result of AIDS.