-
Studies in Health Technology and... 2009The increasing need for support and the fragmented nature of the service system challenge us to develop services for children and their families. Child and family... (Review)
Review
The increasing need for support and the fragmented nature of the service system challenge us to develop services for children and their families. Child and family services are provided by the public, private and third sectors, which according to research have little or no reciprocal co-operation. The review produced information on co-operation interventions used by service providers in the field of health care, social care and education. The current evidence base is too heterogeneous and sparse to draw conclusions on the overall effectiveness of interventions to co-operation. Further high quality studies examining the effectiveness of co-operation interventions are required.
Topics: Cooperative Behavior; Family; Health Services; Humans; Social Work
PubMed: 19592987
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Evidence-based Social Work... 2020The growing range and complexity of community care services require robust approaches to ensuring quality.
PURPOSE
The growing range and complexity of community care services require robust approaches to ensuring quality.
METHOD
This review collated studies on the use of standards in regulating community health and social care using Social Care Online, MEDLINE and CINAHL databases. Studies were appraised by two reviewers and synthesized by study themes.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were synthesized under three themes: standards in quality assurance and quality improvement; effectiveness of standards; and design of regulatory standards. Standards facilitate providers in self-regulation and enable regulators to support and monitor improvement. Effectiveness of standards depends on their language and interpretation, and on organizational factors. There was little evidence of scales within quality standards.
DISCUSSION
There is continuing debate about self-regulation versus external regulation. Social care service regulation requires more research.
CONCLUSION
Regulatory organizations should take note of wider initiatives toward evidence-based practice in the design of quality standards.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Community Networks; Delivery of Health Care; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Public Health; Quality Improvement; Social Welfare
PubMed: 32498667
DOI: 10.1080/26408066.2020.1770647 -
Social Work in Public Health Aug 2022Before the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about the increased use of telemedicine had become common in conversations among medical providers. With the onset of the...
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about the increased use of telemedicine had become common in conversations among medical providers. With the onset of the pandemic, these questions became more pronounced, and quick implementation became the key. New and historic barriers to telemedicine began to emerge at a dramatically increased rate during its rapid mobilization. However, considering how quickly telemedicine has been implemented, the impact on frontline workers, such as social workers, has not been specifically explored. We wondered how the change from face-to-face care to using digital platforms for care delivery has affected social work. Could social work ensure the fluid rollout of digital treatment platforms for care management? Could social work balance the increased number of digital treatment platforms with self-care for social workers during the COVID-19 crisis? What were some history social- work-preparedness plans used for other pandemics, and would those plans work for the COVID-19 pandemic? What were some of the self-care techniques employed by social workers? What were the emerging best practices of social workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system in the U.S. South? We needed to explore these questions to formulate knowledge that could be beneficial for VA health care. This literature review assesses the current responses from the field of social work during the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging telemedicine, social work self-care, and the fluidity of VA services.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Self Care; Social Work; Telemedicine
PubMed: 35172697
DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2022.2032904 -
The American Journal of Geriatric... Oct 2009The authors systematically reviewed the 32 articles fitting predetermined criteria that investigated health and social care professionals' knowledge, detection, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The authors systematically reviewed the 32 articles fitting predetermined criteria that investigated health and social care professionals' knowledge, detection, and reporting of elder abuse. These included 21 surveys (of 5,325 professionals), nine analyses of elder abuse reports to statutory bodies, and two intervention studies. Compatible results were pooled in a meta-analysis. Professionals consistently underestimated the prevalence of elder abuse. Only a quarter of U.S. physicians were aware of American Medical Association elder abuse guidelines. The authors found that 33.7% (95% confidence interval: 27.5-40.1) of health care professionals had detected a case of older adult abuse in the last year. This was slightly higher when only studies judged to be most representative, which all surveyed physicians, were included (39.9% [23.4-57.7]). About half of the detected abuse cases were reported. Professionals who recalled receiving any training on abuse were no more likely to detect abuse than those who stated they had not had training, although they were more likely to report the abuse if they detected it. Interventions that taught professionals about the management of abuse by face-to-face training were effective in increasing knowledge, whereas giving written information was not. No intervention studies have investigated whether detection and reporting of abuse can also be increased through education. Current evidence would support the development and testing of interventions to increase professionals' detection and reporting of abuse. These would encourage them to ask older people about abuse, and address professionals' concerns about the impact of reporting on therapeutic relationships, victims; and legal consequences for the reporter.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Elder Abuse; Guideline Adherence; Guidelines as Topic; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Humans; Mandatory Reporting; Social Work
PubMed: 19916205
DOI: 10.1097/jgp.0b013e3181b0fa2e -
Health & Social Care in the Community May 2022The ability to actively cope with cancer has been extensively associated with better patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This systematic review aims to synthesise the... (Review)
Review
The ability to actively cope with cancer has been extensively associated with better patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This systematic review aims to synthesise the available literature assessing the experience of cancer patients from racial-ethnic minoritised groups. Given the role of sociocontextual factors, greater emphasis was placed on the relationship between family communication and cancer patients' coping within the three largest racial-ethnic minority groups in the United States. Five databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science) were used to search for peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2008 and 2021, investigating family communication patterns, coping, and well-being among Black/African American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latinx cancer survivors. Short reports, chapters, abstracts/summaries, systematic reviews, and conference proceedings were excluded. This review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA). The Criteria for Critically Appraising Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were used to assess the quality and risk of bias in the included studies. The synthesis process focused on study aims, methods, measures of interests, sample characteristics, data analysis, and study findings. A total of 117 articles were identified, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. The selected articles were cross-sectional, implementing both quantitative and qualitative designs. Studies included breast, prostate, and mixed cancer types. Sample sizes of quantitative studies ranged from 64 to 338 respondents, while qualitative studies' samples ranged between 9 and 43 participants. Family communication and coping styles varied across minoritised groups, with open family communication contributing to effective individual and family coping. However, empirical evidence about the nature and contribution of family communication to the coping process is sparse. Future research is needed to increase knowledge and psychosocial assessment techniques and interventions targeting family communication and coping among minority communities.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Communication; Ethnic and Racial Minorities; Ethnicity; Humans; Male; Minority Groups; Neoplasms; United States
PubMed: 34716631
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13623 -
Journal of the American Medical... Nov 2023Social isolation and loneliness are major public health concerns. Informal dementia caregivers are particularly vulnerable, as many are older adults themselves and at...
OBJECTIVE
Social isolation and loneliness are major public health concerns. Informal dementia caregivers are particularly vulnerable, as many are older adults themselves and at elevated risk of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Technology-based interventions could offer accessible, affordable, and convenient solutions. A previous review included Internet-based supportive interventions for informal dementia caregivers published up to 2013; however, new publications, technological advances, and targeted outcomes justify conducting this scoping review. Here, we identified and synthesized recent technology-based interventions that addressed social isolation and loneliness among informal dementia caregivers.
DESIGN
Scoping review.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Informal dementia caregivers in the community.
METHODS
Following Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, we conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed studies across 6 databases within the last 11 years, including identifying research questions, selecting relevant studies, charting data, and summarizing results.
RESULTS
From the 2937 articles identified, 10 eligible studies were included in this review. The intervention type, format, and duration varied widely. Three categories of interventions to address social isolation and loneliness among informal dementia caregivers included technology-assisted peer support, newly developed Web-based multicomponent psychoeducational programs and platforms, and virtual adaptation and modification of existing programs. Predominantly qualitative evidence suggests that technology-based interventions have the potential to reduce feelings of loneliness and improve caregiver well-being. Quantitative evidence tends to be preliminary and inconclusive.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
The findings offer preliminary evidence for technology-based interventions to reduce or prevent social isolation and loneliness in informal dementia caregivers. Technology-based interventions addressing social isolation and loneliness in informal dementia caregivers have the potential to overcome barriers to low uptake of services and withdrawal from interventions and improve the sustainability of the interventions. In the long run, by reducing or preventing social isolation and loneliness in informal dementia caregivers, the transition from home care to facility-based care might be delayed.
Topics: Humans; Caregivers; Dementia; Loneliness; Social Isolation; Technology
PubMed: 37678415
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.08.005 -
BMC Palliative Care Jul 2017Advance care planning is a process of discussion that enables competent adults to express their wishes about end-of-life care through periods of decisional incapacity.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Advance care planning is a process of discussion that enables competent adults to express their wishes about end-of-life care through periods of decisional incapacity. Although a number of studies have documented social workers' attitudes toward, knowledge about, and involvement in advance care planning, the information is fragmented. The purpose of this review was to provide a narrative synthesis of evidence on social workers' perspectives and experiences regarding implementation of advance care planning.
METHODS
Six databases were searched for peer-reviewed research papers from their respective inception through December 2016. All of the resulting studies relevant to both advance care planning and social worker were examined. The findings of relevant studies were synthesized thematically.
RESULTS
Thirty-one articles met the eligibility criteria. Six research themes were identified: social workers' attitudes toward advance care planning; social workers' knowledge, education and training regarding advance care planning; social workers' involvement in advance care planning; social workers' perceptions of their roles; ethical issues relevant to advance care planning; and the effect of social work intervention on advance care planning engagement. The findings suggest that there is a consensus among social workers that advance care planning is their duty and responsibility and that social workers play an important role in promoting and implementing advance care planning through an array of activities.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides useful knowledge for implementing advance care planning through illustrating social workers' perspectives and experiences. Further studies are warranted to understand the complexity inherent in social workers' involvement in advance care planning for different life-limiting illnesses or within different socio-cultural contexts.
Topics: Advance Care Planning; Humans; Palliative Care; Social Work; Social Workers; Workforce
PubMed: 28693527
DOI: 10.1186/s12904-017-0218-8 -
BMC Psychiatry Jul 2023People with mental health difficulties often experience social isolation. The importance of interventions to enhance social networks and reduce this isolation is...
BACKGROUND
People with mental health difficulties often experience social isolation. The importance of interventions to enhance social networks and reduce this isolation is increasingly being recognised. However, the literature has not yet been systematically reviewed with regards to how these are best used. This narrative synthesis aimed to investigate the role of social network interventions for people with mental health difficulties and identify barriers and facilitators to effective delivery. This was undertaken with a view to understanding how social network interventions might work best in the mental health field.
METHODS
Systematic searches using combinations of synonyms for mental health difficulties and social network interventions were undertaken across 7 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) and 2 grey literature databases (EThoS and OpenGrey) from their inception to October 2021. We included studies reporting primary qualitative and quantitative data from all study types relating to the use of social network interventions for people with mental health difficulties. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data were extracted and synthesised narratively.
RESULTS
The review included 54 studies, reporting data from 6,249 participants. Social network interventions were generally beneficial for people with mental health difficulties but heterogeneity in intervention type, implementation and evaluation made it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Interventions worked best when they (1) were personalised to individual needs, interests and health, (2) were delivered outside formal health services and (3) provided the opportunity to engage in authentic valued activities. Several barriers to access were identified which, without careful consideration could exacerbate existing health inequalities. Further research is required to fully understand condition-specific barriers which may limit access to, and efficacy of, interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
Strategies for improving social networks for people with mental health difficulties should focus on supporting engagement with personalised and supported social activities outside of formal mental health services. To optimise access and uptake, accessibility barriers should be carefully considered within implementation contexts and equality, diversity and inclusion should be prioritised in intervention design, delivery and evaluation and in future research.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Mental Health; Social Networking; Social Isolation
PubMed: 37420228
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04881-y -
BMC Public Health Apr 2021Policymakers in many countries promote collaboration between health care organizations and other sectors as a route to improving population health. Local collaborations...
BACKGROUND
Policymakers in many countries promote collaboration between health care organizations and other sectors as a route to improving population health. Local collaborations have been developed for decades. Yet little is known about the impact of cross-sector collaboration on health and health equity.
METHODS
We carried out a systematic review of reviews to synthesize evidence on the health impacts of collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations, and to understand the factors affecting how these partnerships functioned. We searched four databases and included 36 studies (reviews) in our review. We extracted data from these studies and used Nvivo 12 to help categorize the data. We assessed risk of bias in the studies using standardized tools. We used a narrative approach to synthesizing and reporting the data.
RESULTS
The 36 studies we reviewed included evidence on varying forms of collaboration in diverse contexts. Some studies included data on collaborations with broad population health goals, such as preventing disease and reducing health inequalities. Others focused on collaborations with a narrower focus, such as better integration between health care and social services. Overall, there is little convincing evidence to suggest that collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations improves health outcomes. Evidence of impact on health services is mixed. And evidence of impact on resource use and spending are limited and mixed. Despite this, many studies report on factors associated with better or worse collaboration. We grouped these into five domains: motivation and purpose, relationships and cultures, resources and capabilities, governance and leadership, and external factors. But data linking factors in these domains to collaboration outcomes is sparse.
CONCLUSIONS
In theory, collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations might contribute to better population health. But we know little about which kinds of collaborations work, for whom, and in what contexts. The benefits of collaboration may be hard to deliver, hard to measure, and overestimated by policymakers. Ultimately, local collaborations should be understood within their macro-level political and economic context, and as one component within a wider system of factors and interventions interacting to shape population health.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Health Facilities; Humans; Leadership; Population Health; Review Literature as Topic; Social Work
PubMed: 33874927
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10630-1 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2023Against the background of an arguable dearth of scholarship on the sociocultural dimensions of Nigeria's solid waste management strategies and practices, this rapid... (Review)
Review
Against the background of an arguable dearth of scholarship on the sociocultural dimensions of Nigeria's solid waste management strategies and practices, this rapid review searched for evidence in the literature. A rapid evidence review and qualitative meta-summary procedure were implemented to utilize the rigor of systematic literature review that met the timelines and limited funding available for this study. It is more appropriate to identify, extract, and synthesize a mixture of qualitative and/or quantitative empirical evidence in the literature. This rapid review found little substantive evidence of scholarly sociocultural approaches in Nigeria's solid waste management. It also discovered constant factors of inadequate and weak multidisciplinary or non-holistic approaches to driving innovation and effective social impact in Nigeria's solid waste management practices. The results were interpreted vis-à-vis the need to leverage the social sciences, particularly the range and scope of social work practice configurations and possibilities, to scientifically advance and substantially accelerate the implementation of evidence-based policy and practice in Nigeria's solid waste management system. This rapid review concluded that the negative results are due to the insufficient conceptual and theoretical bases for Nigeria's solid waste management strategies and/or practices.
Topics: Solid Waste; Nigeria; Waste Management; Social Sciences
PubMed: 37444093
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136245