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International Journal For Equity in... Jul 2019People experiencing homelessness are often marginalized and are known to face barriers to accessing acceptable and respectful healthcare services. This study examines...
BACKGROUND
People experiencing homelessness are often marginalized and are known to face barriers to accessing acceptable and respectful healthcare services. This study examines the experience of accessing hospital-based services of persons experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing in southeastern Ontario and considers the potential of Equity-Oriented Health Care (EOHC) as an approach to improving care.
METHODS
Focus groups and in-depth interviews with people with lived experience of homelessness (n=31), as well as in-depth interviews of health and social service provider key informants (n=10) were combined with qualitative data from a survey of health and social service providers (n=136). Interview transcripts and written survey responses were analyzed using directed content analysis to examine experiences of people with lived experience of homelessness within the healthcare system.
RESULTS
Healthcare services were experienced as stigmatizing and shaming particularly for patients with concurrent substance use. These negative experiences could lead to avoidance or abandonment of care. Despite supposed universality, participants felt that the healthcare system was not accountable to them or to other equity-seeking populations. Participants identified a system that was inflexible, designed for a perceived middle-class population, and that failed to take into account the needs and realities of equity-seeking groups. Finally, participants did identify positive healthcare interactions, highlighting the importance of care delivered with dignity, trust, and compassion.
CONCLUSIONS
The experiences of healthcare services among the homeless and vulnerably housed do not meet the standards of universally accessible patient-centered care. EOHC could provide a framework for changes to the healthcare system, creating a system that is more trauma-informed, equity-enhancing, and accessible to people experiencing homelessness, thus limiting identified barriers and negative experiences of care.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Focus Groups; Health Equity; Ill-Housed Persons; Humans; Ontario; Social Problems; Social Work; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 31262310
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-1004-4 -
American Journal of Public Health Jul 2020
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Public Health; Social Work
PubMed: 32663076
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305817 -
Annals of Global Health 2022
Topics: Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Social Work; Tertiary Healthcare
PubMed: 35854923
DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3886 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Oct 2021The Social Work discipline emerged in the earlier 20th century globally and in 1953 in Pakistan. Medical Social Work, as a branch of Social Work, deals with non-medical... (Review)
Review
The Social Work discipline emerged in the earlier 20th century globally and in 1953 in Pakistan. Medical Social Work, as a branch of Social Work, deals with non-medical factors affecting diseases. As the needs of a sick person are hardly ever simple, rather these are complicated and multifarious, requiring several kinds of assistance, medical social work, in addition to medicines, is a way to deal with them. Medical social workers, as part of multidisciplinary teams, are well equipped to deal with the multidimensional issues of the patients. However, this in-depth literature review exposed that in Pakistan, Medical Social Work is still vague in terms of skills and services required and is struggling to achieve professional status. The major challenge to the profession is its integration with healthcare services. The role of social workers in healthcare setting is very limited, and they are involved merely in disbursement of free medicines out of charity funds. In Pakistan, neither the Social Work discipline has been given a chance to expand, nor its available services are made effective enough to be considered essential in healthcare.
Topics: Health Facilities; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Pakistan; Social Work
PubMed: 34974576
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.04-589 -
Journal of Public Health (Oxford,... Jun 2022There is a strong national drive within the UK government and National Health Service for social prescribing. Previous research studies have mainly focused on service...
BACKGROUND
There is a strong national drive within the UK government and National Health Service for social prescribing. Previous research studies have mainly focused on service user perspectives and evaluating their experiences. There is limited evidence on how the general public perceive and understand what social prescribing is and how these views could influence service planning and delivery. This paper seeks to understand perceptions of social prescribing within the wider community.
METHODS
Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 37 members of the public in four areas in north-west England. We explored public awareness and understanding of social prescribing.
RESULTS
Limited knowledge of the term social prescribing was found amongst participants as well as limited involvement in community discussions of the topic. Concerns were raised about the short-term nature of activities and the need for adequate resourcing to support continuity of service provision. The social prescribing link worker was considered to be important in supporting engagement with services and it was preferred this role was undertaken by people with local knowledge.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings provide evidence of public perspectives on social prescribing and highlight how wider community perceptions can supplement service user feedback to support social prescribing service planning, commissioning and delivery.
Topics: Focus Groups; Humans; Qualitative Research; Social Work; State Medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33823031
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab067 -
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland :... 2021The aim: To develop, substantiate and experimentally test the model of social workers' training to apply medical social work technologies in the professional activities.
OBJECTIVE
The aim: To develop, substantiate and experimentally test the model of social workers' training to apply medical social work technologies in the professional activities.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and methods: Mixed methods design was applied. The experimental work was conducted in stages: 1) pilot study of social work curriculum of Ukrainian universities directed on the readiness formation to apply technologies of medical social work; 2) model developing with targeted, content, functional-procedural, analytical-resultative components; 3) pedagogical experiment on the learning procedure provision to students. At various stages, the study involved 48 teachers from 7 Ukrainian universities, 229 social work bachelors, 43 practical social workers.
RESULTS
Results: indicated that the implemented training positively leveled up in the experimental group the students' readiness formed to apply technologies of medical social work. The number of students with high level - increased by 28.9%; with sufficient level - increased by 33.4%; with average level - increased by 8.9%; with low level - decreased by 71.1%.
CONCLUSION
Conclusions: The obtained results confirmed the efficacy of the modified program on social workers' training to apply medical social work technologies in the professional activities.
Topics: Curriculum; Humans; Pilot Projects; Social Work; Students; Students, Medical; Universities
PubMed: 34459764
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Gerontological Social Work Jul 2020Gerontological Social Work education has been substantially altered by the advancement of today's digital technologies, influencing both the training and tools required... (Review)
Review
Gerontological Social Work education has been substantially altered by the advancement of today's digital technologies, influencing both the training and tools required to ensure student success in social work research, policy, and practice. The goal of this paper is to present the state of the science on gerontological digital social work education, identify implications for emerging technologies, and define areas for social work student competencies and proficiencies to advance the field of gerontological digital social work. This paper underlines the role of gerontological digital social work education in preparing future researchers, practitioners, and policymakers when engaging in Digital Therapeutic Teams. We provide insightful considerations pertaining to emerging technologies which present unique opportunities for innovation. Furthermore, this paper presents training and education opportunities for social work education in preparing future gerontologist practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to engage in multidisciplinary team efforts and leverage digital technologies and digital therapeutics.
Topics: Geriatrics; Humans; Internet; Mobile Applications; Remote Sensing Technology; Social Work; Technology; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 32478644
DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2020.1772436 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022The following collection of articles reflects the diversity of research, policy and practice in mental health social work in a range of international contexts [...].
The following collection of articles reflects the diversity of research, policy and practice in mental health social work in a range of international contexts [...].
Topics: Humans; Internationality; Mental Health; Mental Health Services; Social Work
PubMed: 35742635
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127387 -
American Journal of Public Health Dec 2017Efforts to reduce expensive health service utilization, contain costs, improve health outcomes, and address the social determinants of health require research that... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Efforts to reduce expensive health service utilization, contain costs, improve health outcomes, and address the social determinants of health require research that demonstrates the economic value of health services in population health across a variety of settings. Social workers are an integral part of the US health care system, yet the specific contributions of social work to health and cost-containment outcomes are unknown. The social work profession's person-in-environment framework and unique skillset, particularly around addressing social determinants of health, hold promise for improving health and cost outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
To systematically review international studies of the effect of social work-involved health services on health and economic outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched 4 databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Social Science Citation Index) by using "social work" AND "cost" and "health" for trials published from 1990 to 2017.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Abstract review was followed by full-text review of all studies meeting inclusion criteria (social work services, physical health, and cost outcomes).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Of the 831 abstracts found, 51 (6.1%) met criteria. Full text review yielded 16 studies involving more than 16 000 participants, including pregnant and pediatric patients, vulnerable low-income adults, and geriatric patients. We examined study quality, health and utilization outcomes, and cost outcomes.
MAIN RESULTS
Average study quality was fair. Studies of 7 social work-led services scored higher on quality ratings than 9 studies of social workers as team members. Most studies showed positive effects on health and service utilization; cost-savings were consistent across nearly all studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite positive overall effects on outcomes, variability in study methods, health problems, and cost analyses render generalizations difficult. Controlled hypothesis-driven trials are needed to examine the health and cost effects of specific services delivered by social workers independently and through interprofessional team-based care. Public Health Implications. The economic and health benefits reported in these studies suggest that the broad health perspective taken by the social work profession for patient, personal, and environmental needs may be particularly valuable for achieving goals of cost containment, prevention, and population health. Novel approaches that move beyond cost savings to articulate the specific value-added of social work are much needed. As health service delivery focuses increasingly on interprofessional training, practice, and integrated care, more research testing the impact of social work prevention and intervention efforts on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations while also measuring societal costs and benefits is essential.
Topics: Community Health Centers; Cooperative Behavior; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Health Promotion; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Social Work; Social Workers; United States
PubMed: 29236534
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.304004 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Psychological injuries in social work are on the rise in complex modern society. Some individuals are incurring both physical and psychological injuries. Often,... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Psychological injuries in social work are on the rise in complex modern society. Some individuals are incurring both physical and psychological injuries. Often, psychological injuries are more miserable than physical injuries. To combat the psychological injury suffered by individuals involved in social work, authorities should mobilize support via social media and raise funds by this and other feasible means to cover the cost of care for these individuals. This study focuses on social media support and funding assistance that could play useful roles in helping to treat psychological injuries among social workers and their clients in China.
METHODS
A scoping review of academic and gray literature was undertaken to identify the different injuries involved in social work. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 7 experts, including social workers, social media professionals, and social fund directors. Empirical studies on psychological injuries in social work provided examples in support of the policy advocacy reported in this paper.
RESULTS
The scoping review found diverse literature on the subject of psychological injury in social work over the past decade in China. Semi-structured interviews with experts indicate that social media support can alleviate psychological suffering and that funding assistance has a positive influence on assisting individuals coping with psychological injuries. The empirical cases support the plan to encourage more support from social media and funding sources.
CONCLUSION
Psychological injury is greatly influenced by social bias and discrimination. According to cases and actions are taken to mitigate the harm done, supportive social media strategies could greatly diminish the psychological injuries to social workers and their clients and help them avoid much suffering. This study finds that funding organizations could provide a new treatment mechanism-social media marketing strategies and functional activities-to help a large number of individuals with psychological injuries out of the disease trap in China.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; China; Humans; Social Media; Social Support; Social Work
PubMed: 35602134
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.796769