Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been receiving considerable attention by the medical community as well as by the public. This attention is due to the rapid increase in cases of AIDS, the uncertain etiology of the disease, and the poor prognosis of the disease. Although some research has investigated the psychological impact of AIDS on its victims, little research has been conducted on the psychological impact of AIDS on the medical staff caring for AIDS patients. In an attempt to examine this impact, eight nurses and four physicians involved in the care of an AIDS patient and a matched, non-AIDS patient responded to four self-report measures which assessed the psychological distress associated with working with each patient. Compared to working with the non-AIDS patient, the physicians and nurses reported experiencing increased anxiety, greater interference in non-work activities, more frequent negative ruminations, and negative perceptions regarding the patient's behavior while working with the AIDS patient. These findings support previous anecdotal reports that medical staff do experience psychological distress when working with an AIDS patient. Because of the fears and concerns engendered in medical personnel by providing care to AIDS patients, psychological and educational interventions are needed to reduce staff's discomfort and thereby facilitate optimal care of AIDS patients. (Author/ABL)