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Social Work in Public Health 2013The effects of a substance use disorder (SUD) are felt by the whole family. The family context holds information about how SUDs develop, are maintained, and what can... (Review)
Review
The effects of a substance use disorder (SUD) are felt by the whole family. The family context holds information about how SUDs develop, are maintained, and what can positively or negatively influence the treatment of the disorder. Family systems theory and attachment theory are theoretical models that provide a framework for understanding how SUDs affect the family. In addition, understanding the current developmental stage a family is in helps inform assessment of impairment and determination of appropriate interventions. SUDs negatively affect emotional and behavioral patterns from the inception of the family, resulting in poor outcomes for the children and adults with SUDs. Social workers can help address SUDs in multiple ways, which are summarized in this article.
Topics: Adult; Alcoholism; Child; Child of Impaired Parents; Combined Modality Therapy; Family Therapy; Female; Humans; Organizational Case Studies; Parent-Child Relations; Psychology, Child; Risk Factors; Social Behavior Disorders; Social Work; Substance-Related Disorders; Systems Theory; United States
PubMed: 23731414
DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2013.759005 -
Administration and Policy in Mental... Jan 2011Implementation science is a quickly growing discipline. Lessons learned from business and medical settings are being applied but it is unclear how well they translate to...
Implementation science is a quickly growing discipline. Lessons learned from business and medical settings are being applied but it is unclear how well they translate to settings with different historical origins and customs (e.g., public mental health, social service, alcohol/drug sectors). The purpose of this paper is to propose a multi-level, four phase model of the implementation process (i.e., Exploration, Adoption/Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment), derived from extant literature, and apply it to public sector services. We highlight features of the model likely to be particularly important in each phase, while considering the outer and inner contexts (i.e., levels) of public sector service systems.
Topics: Child; Child Welfare; Diffusion of Innovation; Evidence-Based Practice; Health Plan Implementation; Humans; Mental Health Services; Models, Organizational; Social Work; United States
PubMed: 21197565
DOI: 10.1007/s10488-010-0327-7 -
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 -
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 -
Health & Social Care in the Community Mar 2020The use of non-medical referral, community referral or social prescribing interventions has been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to help those with long-term... (Review)
Review
The use of non-medical referral, community referral or social prescribing interventions has been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to help those with long-term conditions manage their illness and improve health and well-being. However, the evidence base for social prescribing currently lags considerably behind practice. In this paper, we explore what is known about whether different methods of social prescribing referral and supported uptake do (or do not) work. Supported by an Expert Advisory Group, we conducted a realist review in two phases. The first identified evidence specifically relating to social prescribing in order to develop programme theories in the form of 'if-then' statements, articulating how social prescribing models are expected to work. In the second phase, we aimed to clarify these processes and include broader evidence to better explain the proposed mechanisms. The first phase resulted in 109 studies contributing to the synthesis, and the second phase 34. We generated 40 statements relating to organising principles of how the referral takes place (Enrolment), is accepted (Engagement), and completing an activity (Adherence). Six of these statements were prioritised using web-based nominal group technique by our Expert Group. Studies indicate that patients are more likely to enrol if they believe the social prescription will be of benefit, the referral is presented in an acceptable way that matches their needs and expectations, and concerns elicited and addressed appropriately by the referrer. Patients are more likely to engage if the activity is both accessible and transit to the first session supported. Adherence to activity programmes can be impacted through having an activity leader who is skilled and knowledgeable or through changes in the patient's conditions or symptoms. However, the evidence base is not sufficiently developed methodologically for us to make any general inferences about effectiveness of particular models or approaches.
Topics: Attitude to Health; Humans; Referral and Consultation; Social Participation; Social Support; Social Work
PubMed: 31502314
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12839 -
PloS One 2020During the state of alarm declared in Spain by COVID-19 due to the pandemic, the country's authorities declared Social Services and their workers to be essential,...
During the state of alarm declared in Spain by COVID-19 due to the pandemic, the country's authorities declared Social Services and their workers to be essential, considering that the activity of these professionals with the vulnerable population was crucial and that services should continue to be provided to guarantee the well-being of users in this exceptionally serious situation. This article analyzes the impact that the COVID-19 and the state of alarm has had on Spanish social service professionals. An ad hoc questionnaire was used, administered on-line, individually, voluntarily and anonymously to 560 professionals working in social services, both in the public and private sectors, based throughout Spain. This questionnaire has five different parts: socio-demographic profiling, impact that the health crisis has had on the practice of professional functions, degree of knowledge of the measures imposed to guarantee the protection and safety of professionals and users, impact that it has had on the professional and personal development of social services professionals and, the fifth and last part, degree of adaptation of the measures aimed at the care of the vulnerable population. These results are discussed based on the situation in which professionals working in this sector find themselves in the face of the changes they are experiencing in the development of their work, and we are able to determine the profile of the workers who have felt most affected by the situation, with the consequent and foreseeable mental and emotional affectation that this implies. These professionals tend to value more negatively the set of measures developed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Spanish social services.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Emotions; Employment; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Perception; Social Work; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33206665
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241538 -
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 -
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 -
American Journal of Public Health Aug 2018
Topics: Humans; Population Health; Social Work
PubMed: 29995471
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2018.304541