-
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Aug 2023In this editorial we discuss the place of artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing of scientific articles and especially editorials. We asked chatGPT « to write an...
In this editorial we discuss the place of artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing of scientific articles and especially editorials. We asked chatGPT « to write an editorial for about how AI may replace the rheumatologist in editorial writing ». chatGPT's response is diplomatic and describes AI as a tool to help the rheumatologist but not replace him. AI is already used in medicine, especially in image analysis, but the domains are infinite and it is possible that AI could quickly help or replace rheumatologists in the writing of scientific articles. We discuss the ethical aspects and the future role of rheumatologists.
Topics: Humans; Male; Rheumatologists; Artificial Intelligence; Medical Writing; Rheumatic Diseases
PubMed: 37041067
DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-223936 -
Australian Journal of General Practice Dec 2023Hosting social work placements within general practice can provide opportunities to extend interdisciplinary skills, increase the ability to meet patient needs and...
BACKGROUND
Hosting social work placements within general practice can provide opportunities to extend interdisciplinary skills, increase the ability to meet patient needs and improve understanding of social work as a discipline.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is based on an Australian pilot project involving social work students being placed in general practice for their 500-hour placements. Collaboratively written by academics and practitioners from social work and general practice, it provides key strategies guiding practices to optimise implementing social work student placements. It identifies strategies to design the placement, select students and to prepare practices, supervisors and students to benefit student learning and the general practice.
DISCUSSION
Preparing key stakeholders, providing targeted supervision, longer appointments for social work students and involving all stakeholders are key strategies to successfully facilitate social work placements in general practice. Hosting social work students effectively can further develop multidisciplinary practice, connecting general practices even more with best practice, research and community.
Topics: Humans; Pilot Projects; Australia; General Practice; Family Practice; Social Work
PubMed: 38049139
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-04-23-6792 -
JMIR Medical Education Sep 2023Virtual reality is used to an increasing extent in various fields and is now making inroads into health and social education. Virtual reality simulation can provide a...
BACKGROUND
Virtual reality is used to an increasing extent in various fields and is now making inroads into health and social education. Virtual reality simulation can provide a safe and controlled environment for students to practice and master skills that are transferable to real-world situations without putting patients, clients, or themselves at risk of any harm. Virtual reality simulation using 360° videos represents a novel approach to simulation in health care and social work education, and this inspired our interest in exploring students' experiences with such a learning activity.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore occupational therapy, social education, nursing, and social work students' experiences with virtual reality simulation as a learning activity in an interdisciplinary subject.
METHODS
The data were collected through 6 semistructured focus groups with 28 students. We conducted the focus groups after the students from the 4 education programs had participated in the virtual reality simulation at 3 campuses at a specialized university in Norway. Each focus group interview was facilitated by 1 moderator and 1 facilitator, a combination of experienced researchers and novices. We followed a qualitative design using the 6-step thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke.
RESULTS
The analysis revealed 3 overall themes for students' experiences with the virtual reality simulation. The first theme, 360° videos provide observations for individual learning, illustrates how learning can take place through the students' experiences with sensory inputs and observations from the 360° videos. Students experienced that the video enabled them to individually reflect and achieve learning from what was considered a clinically relevant video. The second theme, 360° videos activate emotional learning, demonstrates how the students experienced emotional engagement when watching the 360° videos. The degree of realism provided in the video was considered as important for the students' learning. The last theme, Debrief sessions enhance comprehensive learning, pinpoints how the students experienced learning through reflective discussions with other students after watching the 360° videos. Students claimed this process to be a vital part of the learning activity.
CONCLUSIONS
Virtual reality simulation represents a promising learning activity to enhance the professional learning of health care and social work students. It offers opportunities for individualized learning through observations, and it also engages students emotionally in the learning process. The combination of 360° videos and group discussions in virtual reality appears promising to enhance professional learning outcomes and competence, which may contribute to improved health care and social work services.
PubMed: 37728988
DOI: 10.2196/49372 -
Omega Dec 2023The COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing limitations have had a profound impact on funeral practices and associated grieving processes. The purpose of the present... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing limitations have had a profound impact on funeral practices and associated grieving processes. The purpose of the present scoping review is to summarize the existing literature on the emerging use of virtual funerals. Five medical databases, five social science databases, and five grey literature databases were searched, identifying 1,351 titles and abstracts, of which 62 met inclusion criteria. Four themes, each with various subthemes emerged: (a) Impact of virtual funerals on coping with death; (b) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the funeral industry; (c) Benefits and disadvantages of virtual funerals; and (d) Future implications for health and social work practitioners. Virtual funerals are an evolving resource for individuals, families, and communities to mourn in response to the interruptions to traditional grieving practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Funeral Rites; Grief; Adaptation, Psychological
PubMed: 34550814
DOI: 10.1177/00302228211045288 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023Racism is a critical social problem, and we present a framework to guide professionals in engaging in anti-racist practices. Professionals on the frontlines in...
Racism is a critical social problem, and we present a framework to guide professionals in engaging in anti-racist practices. Professionals on the frontlines in psychology and related fields such as social work and public health have a responsibility to engage in anti-racist practices. Part of the professional role must be to advocate for justice through increased proximity to the issues and engagement in anti-oppressive practices. The current discourse introduces a framework through which people working in psychology and other related professions can promote anti-racism work, highlighting the legal system for illustrative purposes. While some professionals in psychology may not have direct experience with the legal system, many of the individuals served by psychologists do (e.g., clients/patients, students, community members). Our framework is represented by the acronym STYLE (Self-examination, Talk about racism, Yield time to anti-racism work, Learn about structural racism, Evaluate policies and practices). The goal of STYLE is to expand anti-racism science and practice within psychology and related fields. We describe new roles for professionals in dismantling health inequities and offer specific pathways to develop critical partnerships toward this aim. STYLE explicitly encourages active, intentional involvement of affected community members in the development and evaluation of approaches to health services. To achieve equity and to promote individual and organizational growth in anti-racism and ultimately anti-oppression work, professionals must focus on changing their STYLE.
PubMed: 37705951
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1061637 -
Palliative Care and Social Practice 2023The purpose of this article is to share a Canadian model called in which aging, dying, caregiving, and grieving are everyone's responsibility. The model provides a... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this article is to share a Canadian model called in which aging, dying, caregiving, and grieving are everyone's responsibility. The model provides a research-informed practice guide for people who choose to adopt a community capacity development approach to developing a compassioante community. Based on 30 years of Canadian research by the author in rural, urban, First Nations communities, and long-term care homes, the model offers a practice theory and practical tool. The model incorporates the principles of community capacity development which are as follows: change is incremental and in phases, but nonlinear and dynamic; the change process takes time; development is essentially about developing people; development builds on existing resources (assets); development cannot be imposed from the outside; and development is ongoing (never-ending). Community capacity development starts with citizens who want to make positive changes in their lives and their community. They become empowered by gaining the knowledge, skills, and resources they need. The community mobilizes around finding solutions rather than discussing problems. Passion propels their action and commitment drives the process. The strategy for change is engaging, empowering, and educating community members to act on their own behalf. It requires mobilizing networks of families, friends, and neighbors across the community, wherever people live, work, or play. Community networks are encouraged to prepare for later life, and for giving and getting help among themselves. This Canadian model offers communities one approach to developing a compassionate community and is a resource for implementing a public health approach to end-of-life care in Canada. The model is also available to be evaluated for its applicability beyond Canada and is designed to be adapted to new contexts if desired.
PubMed: 37654733
DOI: 10.1177/26323524231193040 -
Journal of the Society For Social Work... 2023To explore the relationships between social and environmental factors and parenting self-efficacy (PSE) among mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal...
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationships between social and environmental factors and parenting self-efficacy (PSE) among mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) using a social determinants of health (SDoH) framework.
METHOD
We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study that included 187 mother-infant dyads admitted to four NICUs in the Mountain West region between June 2017 and December 2019. We used multivariable linear regression models to assess the independent associations between maternal and infant characteristics and PSE.
RESULTS
Our final multiple linear regression model predicting the efficacy score including maternal race/ethnicity, age, insurance, employment status before giving birth, gestational age, depression, and having other children was significant (F(12,160) = 3.17, p = .0004, adjusted R¬2 = .131). Significant predictors of PSE were race/ethnicity (β= 3.3, p = .022), having another child/children (β= 4.2, p = .005), and depression (β= -4.2, p = .004).
CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that social workers and medical practitioners should consider SDoH, such as insurance type, household income, and employment, along with traditional clinical indicators when assessing families' infant care needs. Social workers, medical practitioners, and researchers should be mindful of how implicit bias may influence the allocation of care and parental supports.
PubMed: 37441191
DOI: 10.1086/716303 -
International Psychogeriatrics Feb 2024Social connections have a significant impact on health across age groups, including older adults. Loneliness and social isolation are known risk factors for Alzheimer's... (Review)
Review
Social connections as determinants of cognitive health and as targets for social interventions in persons with or at risk of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders: a scoping review.
BACKGROUND
Social connections have a significant impact on health across age groups, including older adults. Loneliness and social isolation are known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Yet, we did not find a review focused on meta-analyses and systematic reviews of studies that had examined associations of social connections with cognitive decline and trials of technology-based and other social interventions to enhance social connections in people with ADRD.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a scoping review of 11 meta-analyses and systematic reviews of social connections as possible determinants of cognitive decline in older adults with or at risk of developing ADRD. We also examined eight systematic reviews of technology-based and other social interventions in persons with ADRD.
STUDY RESULTS
The strongest evidence for an association of social connections with lower risk of cognitive decline was related to social engagement and social activities. There was also evidence linking social network size to cognitive function or cognitive decline, but it was not consistently significant. A number of, though not all, studies reported a significant association of marital status with risk of ADRD. Surprisingly, evidence showing that social support reduces the risk of ADRD was weak. To varying degrees, technology-based and other social interventions designed to reduce loneliness in people with ADRD improved social connections and activities as well as quality of life but had no significant impact on cognition. We discuss strengths and limitations of the studies included.
CONCLUSIONS
Social engagement and social activities seem to be the most consistent components of social connections for improving cognitive health among individuals with or at risk for ADRD. Socially focused technology-based and other social interventions aid in improving social activities and connections and deserve more research.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Quality of Life; Social Isolation; Cognition; Social Work
PubMed: 37994532
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610223000923 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2024Writing this Editorial for our second collection of papers on "International Perspectives on Mental Health Social Work", we reflected upon the content of our First...
Writing this Editorial for our second collection of papers on "International Perspectives on Mental Health Social Work", we reflected upon the content of our First Edition [...].
Topics: Humans; Mental Health; Internationality; Social Work; Writing
PubMed: 38541335
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21030336 -
Hawai'i Journal of Health & Social... Feb 2024The professions of pharmacy and social work are not generally assumed to directly collaborate in patient care; however, these professions are complementary. Health and...
The professions of pharmacy and social work are not generally assumed to directly collaborate in patient care; however, these professions are complementary. Health and wellbeing outcomes are significantly improved when care is managed by an interprofessional team that communicates and collaborates to ensure all aspects of care are effectively managed. The creation of educational opportunities for students to practice working together provides enhanced educational experiences and leads to their success as professionals. Pharmacy and social work faculty developed an interprofessional education activity specifically aimed at integrative student learning. Faculty and students based on various islands throughout the state of Hawai'i and the US territory of Guam participated in the experience. The case study encouraged interprofessional teamwork and collaboration. The case study also challenged students to share profession-specific knowledge with each other. Mean evaluation scores were compared between hybrid and fully online platforms. Evaluation scores were high and at least as good or higher in the fully online exercise compared to the hybrid exercises. Using the 20-item pre-post format, Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey, results indicated statistically significant improvements in scores for all questions and domains (all P<.001). When hybrid training and fully online training were compared, there were no significant differences in pre scores, but post domain scores were significantly higher in students who experienced fully online training. This interprofessional case-based activity successfully promoted interprofessional learning and collaboration. Introducing learners to this type of collaborative practice while in school is critical for future collaboration in the workforce.
Topics: Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Education, Distance; Pharmacy; Students, Pharmacy; Hawaii
PubMed: 38344696
DOI: No ID Found