Since assuring quality health care delivery to patients suffering from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and those who test positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a priority, development of effective staff training methods is imperative. This pilot study assessed the effect on staff attitudes of a participative AIDS/HIV staff training method, designed to overcome many of the problems associated with standard didactic methods. Health care workers (N=42) at a large, public psychiatric hospital were evaluated prior to training. Pretest scores were obtained for all 42 staff members. Fourteen employees attended both training sessions; 18 attended the first session only; 6 attended the second session only; and 4 attended neither session. Posttest questionnaires were administered at the end of the second training session. Of the 20 employees who completed the posttests, 6 had not attended the first session and 14 had attended both sessions. Pretest scores were compared with posttest scores from those who completed the two training sessions. The results support the efficacy of the participative staff training method as a means of increasing compassion toward AIDS/HIV patients, acceptance of the obligation to treat these individuals, and appropriate work-related risk reduction. Desired changes were found only in subjects who attended both training sessions. (Author/NB)