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Journal of Public Health Policy Mar 2024Governments in many European countries have been working towards integrating health and social care services to eliminate the fragmentation that leads to poor care... (Review)
Review
Governments in many European countries have been working towards integrating health and social care services to eliminate the fragmentation that leads to poor care coordination for patients. We conducted a systematic review to identify and synthesize knowledge about the integration of health and social care services in Europe. We identified 490 records, in 14 systematic reviews that reported on 1148 primary studies and assessed outcomes of integration of health care and social care. We categorized records according to three purposes: health outcomes, service quality and integration procedures outcomes. Health outcomes include improved clinical outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and positive effects on quality of care. Service quality improvements encompass better access to services, reduced waiting times, and increased patient satisfaction. Integration procedure outcomes involve cost reduction, enhanced collaboration, and improved staff perceptions; however, some findings rely on limited evidence. This umbrella review provides a quality-appraised overview of existing systematic reviews.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Delivery of Health Care; Social Work; Social Support; Quality Improvement
PubMed: 38287089
DOI: 10.1057/s41271-023-00465-y -
Preferences for Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Systematic Review of Discrete Choice Experiments.Value in Health : the Journal of the... Dec 2023Understanding what matters most to patients and their caregivers is fundamental to delivering high-quality care. This systematic review aimed to characterize and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Understanding what matters most to patients and their caregivers is fundamental to delivering high-quality care. This systematic review aimed to characterize and appraise the evidence from discrete choice experiments eliciting preferences for palliative care.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was undertaken for publications up until August 2022. Data were synthesized narratively. Thematic analysis was applied to categorize attributes into groups. Attribute development, frequency, and relative importance were analyzed. Subgroup analyses were conducted to compare outcomes between patient and proxy respondents.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies spanning 11 countries were included; 59% of studies solely considered preferences for patients with cancer. A range of respondent groups were represented including patients (76%) and proxies (caregivers [35%], health providers [12%], and the public [18%]). A total of 117 individual attributes were extracted and thematically grouped into 8 broad categories and 21 subcategories. Clinical outcomes including quality of life, length of life, and pain control were the most frequently reported attributes, whereas attributes relating to psychosocial components were largely absent. Both patients and proxy respondents prioritized pain control over additional survival time. Nevertheless, there were differences between respondent cohorts in the emphasis on other attributes such as access to care, timely information, and low risk of adverse effects (prioritized by patients), as opposed to cost, quality, and delivery of care (prioritized by proxies).
CONCLUSIONS
Our review underscores the vital role of pain control in palliative care; in addition, it shed light on the complexity and relative strength of preferences for various aspects of care from multiple perspectives, which is useful in developing personalized, patient-centered models of care for individuals nearing the end of life.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Patient Preference; Terminal Care; Palliative Care; Pain; Choice Behavior
PubMed: 37543206
DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2023.07.005 -
Journal of Gerontological Social Work 2023The increase of older workers has resulted in more diversified demographics with a wide spectrum of employees' ages. This change calls for a better understanding of...
The increase of older workers has resulted in more diversified demographics with a wide spectrum of employees' ages. This change calls for a better understanding of intergenerational conflict, in particular ageism. This study aimed to synthesize study findings on workplace ageism by examining the relationship between ageist attitudes and chronological age. A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA; then, 15 studies were included. The results of an intercept-only meta-regression model, using robust variance estimation with a random-effects approach, showed that an increase in workers' age had a significant negative association with the severity of their workplace-based ageist attitudes: b = -.159 (95% CI: -.21, -.11). Thus, the younger the workers, the more severe their ageist attitudes toward others in different age groups in the workplace. The findings offer implications for occupational social work practice in terms of priority in anti-ageism education and training among different age groups.
PubMed: 36576878
DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2022.2161685 -
Pregnancy and childbirth during incarceration: A qualitative systematic review of lived experiences.BJOG : An International Journal of... Aug 2022Incarcerated individuals who experience pregnancy or childbirth in correctional facilities face unique considerations for obstetric care and consequently are at greater... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Incarcerated individuals who experience pregnancy or childbirth in correctional facilities face unique considerations for obstetric care and consequently are at greater risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
To characterise patient experiences regarding pregnancy and childbirth during incarceration via qualitative synthesis.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, Social Work Abstracts, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycInfo were systematically searched from inception to 24 December 2020. Supplementary searches were performed using the Scopus database.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Only original, peer-reviewed literature was examined. Eligible studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research.
RESULTS
After screening 4173 original database citations, 24 studies that met inclusion criteria were included and analysed via thematic analysis. The 24 studies included perspectives from 645 female patients who had experienced incarceration, 69 healthcare providers and 70 prison staff. Key patient-reported concerns for the well-being of pregnant individuals during incarceration included mental health challenges, dehumanisation of prenatal care and delivery, lack of privacy, stigma, psychological trauma, lack of emotional support and shackle usage during pregnancy and/or labour. The studies reported a lack of support for patients to access female correctional officers or guards, privacy during intimate examinations, timely medical care and support for breastfeeding. Above all, the psychological trauma of separation from one's newborn after birth was of utmost devastation.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review highlights the dire need for accountability and interventions to improve pregnancy and childbirth care for incarcerated individuals.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT
This systematic review describes lived experiences of pregnancy & childbirth during incarceration, including dehumanisation, psychological trauma, and use of shackles.
Topics: Correctional Facilities; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Parturition; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 35274810
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17137 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021International migration processes are some of the most important events of our time. Migrating implies a broad range of factors that affect integration, and which may...
International migration processes are some of the most important events of our time. Migrating implies a broad range of factors that affect integration, and which may be linked to radicalization. Host countries use different methods for the integration of migrants. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze intervention programs that aim at promoting social integration and preventing the radicalization of migrants, with the objective of studying actions carried out in the US, Canada, and Europe to this effect. Worldwide known bibliographic databases (PsyCINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Psycarticles, Psychology Database, Medline, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar) were used to search studies published before January 2019 and which analyzed integration or radicalization prevention programs with migrants. A total of 601 studies were screened, from which 18 met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of programs addressed to migrant women points to a decrease in loneliness and depression and an increase of migrants' perception of social support and self-esteem. Programs carried out in schools and families improve children's knowledge of their culture and that of others, increase their feelings of inclusion, and reduce their aggressiveness, stress, and anxiety. Language programs promote communication and employment search, as well as improve migrants' quality of life. One of the most effective activities included in these programs is to connect recently arrived migrants with local population and/or long-term residents. The latter act as mentors and teachers, helping recently arrived migrants understand resources and to be more integrated in the new country, as well as reducing discrimination from the local population. The review concluded the importance of intervention programs for integration, migrants' quality of life, prevention of extreme behaviors, and intercultural cohabitation. Future programs must be more detailed regarding participants' information and carry out more comprehensive assessments.
PubMed: 34393838
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.606147 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Mar 2023Illness uncertainty is widely recognized as a psychosocial stressor for cancer survivors and their family caregivers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Illness uncertainty is widely recognized as a psychosocial stressor for cancer survivors and their family caregivers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the sociodemographic, physical, and psychosocial correlates that are associated with illness uncertainty in adult cancer survivors and their family caregivers.
METHODS
Six scholarly databases were searched. Data synthesis was based on Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Theory. Person's r was used as the effect size metric in the meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.
RESULTS
Of 1116 articles, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of 21 reviewed studies, 18 focused on cancer survivors, one focused on family caregivers, and 2 included survivors and family caregivers. Findings identified distinct correlates for illness uncertainty in cancer survivors, including sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, race), stimuli frame (e.g., symptom, family history of cancer), structure providers (e.g., education), coping, and adaptation. Notable effect sizes were observed in the correlations between illness uncertainty and social support, quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Caregivers' illness uncertainty was associated with their race, general health, perception of influence, social support, quality of life, and survivors' prostate-specific antigen levels. Insufficient data precluded examining effect size of correlates of illness uncertainty among family caregivers.
CONCLUSION
This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the literature on illness uncertainty among adult cancer survivors and family caregivers. Findings contribute to the growing literature on managing illness uncertainty among cancer survivors and family caregivers.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Cancer Survivors; Quality of Life; Caregivers; Uncertainty; Cross-Sectional Studies; Neoplasms
PubMed: 36977804
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07705-7 -
American Journal of Community Psychology Sep 2021Interest in the connection between masculinities and mental health continues to grow. However, no previous systematic review has explored this association for...
Interest in the connection between masculinities and mental health continues to grow. However, no previous systematic review has explored this association for adolescents. We present the systematic review of 29 articles that explore the connection between adherence to stereotypical male gender role norms (e.g., emotional restriction), attributes (e.g., "ambitious"), and identity (most commonly, gender "typicality") and internalizing behavior problems and social support. A total of 24,795 adolescent boys (6th-12th grade) were included in the reviewed studies from 1997-2017. In the quantitative articles (n = 20), associations varied by aspect of masculinity assessed. Specifically, we found that greater endorsement of "masculine" traits (e.g., ambitious, assertive) was generally associated with fewer internalizing behavior problems and greater social support. However, lower gender "typicality" and higher adherence to stereotypical gender role norms were generally associated with more internalizing behavior problems and lower social support. In the qualitative articles (n = 9), the most predominant theme was emotional restriction (i.e., a gender role norm) and consequences for mental health. While research in this area is newer for community psychologists, the connection between masculinities and mental health is directly relevant to the field. Given the focus on individual-level conceptions of masculinity and mental health found in our review, we describe key future directions for masculinities research in community psychology.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Mental Health; Problem Behavior; Social Support
PubMed: 33417737
DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12492 -
Current Treatment Options in... 2022To report social workers' involvement in supporting patients with cirrhosis. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To report social workers' involvement in supporting patients with cirrhosis.
RECENT FINDINGS
Six intervention studies (three published in the past 3 years) highlighed the potential role of social worker-led interventions to improve the outcomes of patients with cirrhosis. In studies of patients with alcohol-related liver disease ( = 4), social workers conducted psychosocial assessments, screened for substance use disorder and psychological distress, coordinated referrals to addiction services, and provided relapse prevention therapy. In studies including transplant recipients or candidates ( = 2), social workers focused on psychosocial interventions. In two studies ( = 1 patient with alcohol-related liver disease; = 1 transplant recipients), social workers provided practical support (e.g., housing, transportation). Most articles provided limited information about the intervention and the role of the social worker, making comparisons of the studies difficult.
SUMMARY
More high-quality evidence is needed to formally assess the impact of social workers in improving the outcomes of patients with cirrhosis.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11938-022-00381-2.
PubMed: 35676928
DOI: 10.1007/s11938-022-00381-2 -
Child Maltreatment May 2022State and federal policies regarding substance use in pregnancy, specifically whether a notification to child protective services is required, continue to evolve. To...
State and federal policies regarding substance use in pregnancy, specifically whether a notification to child protective services is required, continue to evolve. To inform practice, policy, and future research, we sought to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing literature regarding the association of prenatal substance exposure with child maltreatment. We conducted a comprehensive electronic search of PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, CHINAL, Social Work Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, and Social Services Abstracts. We identified 30 studies that examined the association of exposure to any/multiple substances, cocaine, alcohol, opioids, marijuana, and amphetamine/methamphetamine with child maltreatment. Overall, results indicated that substance exposed infants have an increased likelihood of child protective services involvement, maternal self-reported risk of maltreatment behaviors, hospitalizations and clinic visits for suspected maltreatment, and adolescent retrospective self-report of maltreatment compared to unexposed infants. While study results suggest an association of prenatal substance exposure with child maltreatment, there are several methodological considerations that have implications for results and interpretation, including definitions of prenatal substance exposure and maltreatment, study populations used, and potential unmeasured confounding. As each may bias study results, careful interpretation and further research are warranted to appropriately inform programs and policy.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Abuse; Child Protective Services; Family; Female; Humans; Infant; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 33550839
DOI: 10.1177/1077559521990116 -
International Journal of Prisoner Health Jun 2022The purpose of this study was to systematically review literature to investigate trends in compassionate release policies, facility implementation, barriers at both the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to systematically review literature to investigate trends in compassionate release policies, facility implementation, barriers at both the incarcerated individual and institutional levels, as well as gaps in the literature. The absence of uniform and appropriate policies to address suitable interventions at the end-of-life has aggravated the challenges and issues facing health-care systems within a correctional facility. A response to address and alleviate these barriers is policies related to compassionate release, a complex route that grants eligible inmates the opportunity to die in their community. Despite the existence of compassionate release policies, only 4% of requests to the Federal Bureau of Prisons are granted, with evidence demonstrating similarly low rates among numerous state prison systems, signifying the underuse of these procedures as a vital approach to decarceration.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
A systematic review was completed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International Abstracts, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Education Resources Information Center, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Social Services Abstracts and Social Work Abstracts were searched from inception to March 2021. Inclusion criteria included: the compassionate release policy (or related policy) is implemented in the USA; reported qualitative and/or quantitative outcomes; and reported original data.
FINDINGS
Twenty studies formed the final data set. Data analysis revealed four main themes: language barriers, complexities of eligibility criteria, over-reliance on prognostication and social stigma. Barriers to inmates' access to compassionate release policies include unclear or technical language used in policy documents. Eligibility criteria appear to vary across the country, including disease prognoses and the ability to predict terminal declines in health, creating confusion amongst inmates, lawyers and review boards. Stigmas surrounding the rights of incarcerated individuals frequently influence policymakers who experience pressure to maintain a punitive stance to appease constituents, thus discouraging policies and interventions that promote the release of incarcerated individuals.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS
Further research is vital to strengthen the understanding of compassionate release policies and related barriers associated with accessing various types of early parole. To promote social justice for this marginalized population, end-of-life interventions in corrections need to be consistently evaluated with outcomes that improve care for dying inmates.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
Within correctional facilities, correctional health-care workers should play an integral role in influencing prison and medical staff attitudes toward dying inmates by providing an understanding of how to effectively support this vulnerable population. Social workers should participate in research that focuses on effective guidelines for correctional facilities to provide compassionate end-of-life care for inmates.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Racial disparities in the US criminal justice system are prevalent and well documented, as individuals of color are arrested far out of proportion to their share of all individuals in the USA. This particular population is thus challenged with poor access to and quality of health care in corrections. Correctional health-care workers can play an integral role in influencing policymakers, as well as prison and medical staff attitudes toward dying inmates by providing an understanding of how to effectively support this vulnerable population.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE
Currently, there are no published research articles that provide a systematic review of compassionate release policies in the USA.
Topics: Humans; Terminal Care; Prisons; Prisoners; Attitude of Health Personnel; Death
PubMed: 35751659
DOI: 10.1108/IJPH-11-2021-0110