Theoretical discussion of a model of caring for persons with HIV infection.

A model of caring for persons with HIV infection is presented. The model, which identifies the characteristics of care as a holistic phenomenon, consisting of care actions and caring behaviours, was developed through a qualitative approach comparable to the ethnonursing method. The characteristics of care inherent in the model are validated through comparison with knowledge of care from selected historical, linguistic, and caring science sources as well as with care experiences, described in biographies of persons with HIV infection. It is proposed, that the model should be used for further investigation of caring for persons with HIV infection, for investigating caring for persons with other conditions, for teaching caring theory and practice, for planning of caring services and for policy formulation.