Social Care Workers Research Articles

Effectiveness of Intervention Practices in Preventing Childhood Malnutrition in a Semi-rural Area of the Western Cape

ABSTRACT Malnutrition is a global concern and particularly in children. It impacts negatively on mortality, morbidity, educability and productivity, and it affects millions of children in South Africa. As part of our Millennium Development Goals set by the Department of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO), it is vital to combat malnutrition by eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. Health care workers needs to apply health promotion intervention strategies to combat malnutrition, particularly for children under five years old. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of intervention practices in preventing childhood malnutrition in a semi-rural area in the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape. A qualitative approach with an explorative design were used. Data were collected through focus group interviews. Thematic content analysis with coding was used for qualitative data analysis. The results revealed that three categories of interventions for preventing malnutrition were recorded in this study. The first category contained the interventions and practices that had taken place in the clinic. This was followed by the second category of interventions, namely those interventions that had taken place in the community and the third category of interventions presented in the form of referrals. This study recommended that health education and health promotion should be done at all health facilities with regular intervals, as well as within the community. Authorities should provide a platform for all doctors and all categories of primary health care workers, including various categories of registered professional nurses, caregivers and home based care givers, dieticians and social workers, to go for regular updates and to participate in continuous development programmes to combat malnutrition. The results could improve health care practices in the communities of the Western Cape and the South African context at large.

An insight into the work of sexual assault referral centres and the role of the forensic nurse examiner.

It is more likely than ever that healthcare staff of all grades and in all settings will encounter cases of sexual assault, so it is crucial that they know how to respond appropriately to support survivors. Health and social care workers engage with clients in a range of situations, which means that they are well placed for such disclosure. In some cases, particularly if the assault is a recent incident, time is of the essence to ensure that there is no loss of evidence that could be crucial in gaining a conviction. This article explores the role of a sexual assault referral centre (SARC), a service that few people know about or think they will ever need. The type of sexual activity that constitutes a criminal offence will be discussed and information presented that offers direction for those who want to involve the police, and for those who do not. Links to a range of organisations are also included that survivors of recent or historic sexual assault can access for support and advice.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy opinions from frontline health care and social care workers: Survey data from 37 countries

Background and aimsVaccine hesitancy is an ongoing major challenge. We aimed to assess the uptake and hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccination. MethodsA short online survey was posted between April 12 to July 31, 2021 targeted at health and social care workers (HCWs) across the globe. Results275 from 37 countries responded. Most were hospital or primary care physicians or nurses, 59% women, aged 18–60 years, and 21% had chronic conditions with most prevalent being diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. We found that most HCWs (93%) had taken or willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. While 7% were vaccine hesitant (mainly women aged 30–39 years), respondents main concerns was the safety or potential side effects. Vaccine willing respondents raised concerns of unequal access to the COVID-19 vaccination in some countries, and highlighted that the only solution to overcoming COVID-19 infections was the vaccine booster doses given annually and free mass vaccination. ConclusionsThis study found that the majority of the frontline HCWs are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Further promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine would reassure and persuade HCWs to become vaccinated.

A Post-Structural Feminist Analysis of Eating Disorders Intervention Research

Through an epistemological stance of post-structural feminism, this conceptual paper explores the use of language within eating disorders (ED) intervention articles, and the problematic narratives and power dynamics that are reinforced through this discourse. The paper begins with a vignette coupled with reflexive analysis of the authors’ experiences within a hospital-based ED unit. The authors then engage in a post-structural feminist analysis to discuss how language within ED intervention research relay problematic narratives of: (1) the individual with an ED as passively, not actively, engaged in care; (2) that their experiences can be captured and categorized; and (3) that measurement based scientific knowledge is more valuable than the lived experiences of clients. Overall, the authors argue that these narratives not only shape how social work researchers think of EDs, but also what we think of those with EDs. These themes also signal a larger power dynamic that continuously favours the epistemic value of researchers’ knowledge over that of the client’s, which runs contrary to the guiding principles of client-centered care in social work. To address these critiques, the authors recommend that social work researchers adopt an eco-social phenomenological approach informed by post-structural feminism when conducting ED intervention research.

The end of a challenging year

British Journal of MidwiferyVol. 29, No. 12 EditorialThe end of a challenging yearSuzannah AllkinsSuzannah AllkinsEditorSearch for more papers by this authorSuzannah AllkinsPublished Online:2 Dec 2021https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2021.29.12.665AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Baby Lifeline. Mind the gap. 2021. https://bit.ly/3DSyBHW (accessed 24 November 2021) Google ScholarBBC News. Austria to go into full lockdown as Covid surges. 2021. https://bbc.in/32xhsWG (accessed 25 November 2021) Google ScholarGov.uk. Government to introduce COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of deployment for all frontline health and social care workers. 2021. https://bit.ly/3xi15bQ (accessed 24 November 2021) Google ScholarJardine J, Walker K, Gurol-Urganci I et al.. Adverse pregnancy outcomes attributable to socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in England: a national cohort study. The Lancet. 2021;398(10314):1905–1912. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01595-6 Crossref, Google ScholarMartin H, Hameed A. The effect of COVID-19 on intrapartum care: a case review from early in the pandemic. Br J Midwifery. 2021;29(9):532–535. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2021.29.9.532 Link, Google ScholarRoyal College of Midwives. RCM outlines next steps for pay campaign. 2021. https://bit.ly/3HNLJAx (accessed 24 November 2021) Google ScholarSmith V, Panda S, O'Malley D, Vallejo N, Barry P. COVID-19 and clinical outcomes of pregnancy: a comparative study. Br J Midwifery. 2021;29(11):642–647. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2021.29.11.642 Link, Google ScholarStacey T, Darwin Z, Keely A, Smith A, Farmer D, Heighway K. Experiences of maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in the North of England. Br J Midwifery. 2021;29(9):516–523. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2021.29.9.516 Link, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 December 2021Volume 29Issue 12ISSN (print): 0969-4900ISSN (online): 2052-4307 Metrics History Published online 2 December 2021 Published in print 2 December 2021 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Factors associated with vaccine intention in adults living in England who either did not want or had not yet decided to be vaccinated against COVID-19

ABSTRACT Early studies showed that 28–36% of UK adults were unsure or unwilling to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We wanted to identify which socio-demographic, socio-economic, personal health and psychological factors were associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions (CVI) in adults living in England who did not want, yet to consider, or not sure whether to vaccinate. In October/November 2020, prior to vaccine availability, we surveyed adults stratified by gender, region, and deprivation, with additional purposive sampling of those aged 50 and over and those from an ethnic minority. Two hundred and ten did not want; 407 had yet to consider; and 1,043 were not sure whether to be vaccinated. Factors positively associated with CVI were: favorable vaccine views, trust in institutions associated with vaccine approval, vaccine subjective norms, anticipated regret of not having a vaccine, perceived vaccine benefits, perceived safety knowledge sufficiency, and a history of having an influenza vaccine. Factors negatively associated were: anti-lockdown views, and being a health or social care worker. Whilst showing significant relationships with CVI when analyzed in isolation, neighborhood deprivation and ethnicity did show an independent relationship to intention when all study measures were controlled for. Our findings suggest vaccine promotion focusing on the anticipated regret of not having a vaccine, the benefits of a mass COVID-19 immunization program, and the safety of a vaccine whilst ensuring or engendering trust in those bodies that brand a campaign may be most supportive of COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

COVID-19 booster vaccinations

With the UK Health Security Agency announcement that those over 50 as well as health and social care workers are to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine boster, George Winter investigates whether research supports the necessity to do so

Systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal behaviour amongst health and social care workers across the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of healthcare and social care workers, and its potential effect on suicidal thoughts and behaviour is of particular concern. This systematic review identified and appraised the published literature that has reported on the impact of COVID-19 on suicidal thoughts and behaviour and self-harm amongst healthcare and social care workers worldwide up to May 31, 2021. Out of 37 potentially relevant papers identified, ten met our eligibility criteria. Our review has highlighted that the impact of COVID-19 has varied as a function of setting, working relationships, occupational roles, and psychiatric comorbidities. There have been no completed cohort studies comparing pre- and post-pandemic suicidal thoughts and behaviours. It is possible some papers may have been missed in the search. The current quality of evidence pertaining to suicidal behaviour in healthcare workers is poor, and evidence is entirely absent for those working in social care. The clinical relevance of this work is to bring attention to what evidence exists, and to encourage, in practice, proactive approaches to interventions for improving healthcare and social care worker mental health.

The role of managerial leadership in sickness absence in health and social care: antecedent or moderator in the association between psychosocial working conditions and register-based sickness absence? A longitudinal study based on a swedish cohort

BackgroundThe prevalence of sickness absence is particularly high among employees in health and social care, where psychosocial work stressors are pertinent. Managerial leadership is known to affect sickness absence rates, but the role leadership plays in relation to sickness absence is not fully understood; that is, whether poor leadership (i) is associated with sickness absence directly, (ii) is associated with sickness absence indirectly through the establishment of poor psychosocial working conditions, or (iii) whether good leadership rather has a buffering role in the association between work stressors and sickness absence.MethodsFour biennial waves from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH, 2010–2016, N=2333) were used. Autoregressive cross-lagged analyses within a multilevel structural equation modelling (MSEM) framework were conducted to test hypotheses i)–iii), targeting managerial leadership, register-based sickness absence and psychosocial work stressors (high psychological demands, poor decision authority and exposure to workplace violence).ResultsA direct association was found between poor leadership and sickness absence two years later, but no associations were found between leadership and the psychosocial work stressors. Finally, only in cases of poor leadership was there a statistically significant association between workplace violence and sickness absence.ConclusionsPoor managerial leadership may increase the risk of sickness absence among health and social care workers in two ways: first, directly and, second, by increasing the link between workplace violence and sickness absence.

Empowering refugee families in transit: the development of a culturally competent and compassionate training and support package.

BackgroundRefugee parents who fled conflicts suffered violence and traumas and face huge challenges in supporting the health and welfare of their children while in transit.AimsTo describe the development of a culturally competent and compassionate training and support package (TSP) for nurses, social and health care workers and volunteers, with a focus on parenting needs among unsettled refugees fleeing conflict.MethodsThe multi-method approach included: a scoping review covering parenting needs of refugees fleeing conflict zones; collection of stories from refugee parents, healthcare workers and volunteers via a mobile application; discussions between team members; a piloted and evaluated curriculum.ResultsHigh levels of family distress and deterioration of parental identity were identified. Informed by these results, the curriculum is articulated along 20 bite-sized learning units, covering four age stages of childhood as well as targeting adults’ well-being. Pilot training was evaluated positively, confirming feasibility and usefulness of the TSP.ConclusionsUnsettled refugee parents fleeing conflicts face psycho-social and practical difficulties negatively affecting their parenting skills. The care workforce should be trained in order to provide culturally competent and compassionate support to help these families. Open access digital platforms are promising as autodidactic and self-help tools among hard-to-reach populations.

Examining no-show rates in a community health centre in the United States.

The purpose of this research was to examine patient characteristics that may be associated with appointment no-show rates, and to explore patients' perspectives of missed appointments at a community health centre that primarily serves low-income individuals. This mixed-method, cross-sectional study is based upon data collected from a community health centre in Southeastern Tennessee in the United States that provided preventative medical, behavioural health and dental care. Authors utilised de-identified electronic health record (EHR) information on no-show occurrence and sociodemographic characteristics of all patients served by the clinic (n=1,243), as well as completed mixed method patient interviews a sub-sample of those receiving service from the clinic (n=30). EHR data were pulled from clinic visits occurring during July-November 2017, and patient interviews were completed January-March 2018. Measures were developed by the authors and clinic administrators after a thorough review of existing literature. HER data demonstrated an association between higher no-show rate and younger patients was identified and Black or African American patients had higher no-show rate than White patients. However, no differences in no-show rate existed between male and female participants or when examining patients' location. Based on interview data, patients were generally satisfied with their services or providers, but some indicated dissatisfaction. Patients typically missed appointments due to personal issues and societal barriers. Findings support the need for clinics to consider ways to support patients facing competing demands for their time or those facing more resource constraints. Recommendations for research include examining long-term health outcomes of clients who are experiencing no-shows. Changes in practice or procedures were also noted, such as providing transportation, elevating awareness and access to social services, ensuring that that social care workers are reaching out to clients with higher no-shows and educating clients on the importance of preventative care.

Why doesn't integrated care work? Using Strong Structuration Theory to explain the limitations of an English case.

Integrated care is an aim and a method for organising health and care services, particularly for older people and those with chronic conditions. Policy expects that integrated care programmes will provide person‐centred coordinated care which will improve patient or client experience, enable population health, prevent hospital admissions and thereby reduce costs. However, empirical evaluations of integrated care interventions have shown disappointing results. We analysed an in‐depth case study using Strong Structuration Theory to ask: how and why have efforts to integrate health and social care failed to produce desired outcomes? In our case, integrated case management and the creation of cost‐saving plans were dominant practices. People working in health and social care recursively produced a structure of integrated care: a recognised set of resources created by collective activities. Integrated care, intended to help patients manage their long‐term conditions and avoid hospital admission, was only a small part of the complex network that sustained patients at home. The structures of integrated care were unable to compensate for changes in patients’ health. The result was that patients’ experiences remained largely unaffected and hospital admissions were not easily avoided.

Field Note—Creating Trauma-Informed Library Spaces: Lessons Learned From a Pilot Program

ABSTRACT Public libraries play an increasingly vital role as a public hub and safe haven open to all, with innovative programming and services that increase literacy, access to resources, and capacity-building. This field note describes the implementation of a federally funded academic–community partnership integrating a trauma-informed care framework and social work field placements into a public library to address the needs of vulnerable patrons in accessing community resources. It describes the process of developing this pilot program, including placing MSW student interns, assessment, implementation, training, and community integration of services. It concludes by discussing implications, strategies and lessons learned from this innovative pilot project with attention to navigating the challenges of adapting services and field placements during a global pandemic.

Social Work Care in Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Capacity-Building Model.

Co-occurring traumatic brain injury (TBI) and substance use disorders (SUD) are a major public health concern, yet TBI is often underrecognized within SUD treatment organizations. Social workers in these organizations are well positioned to deliver tailored treatment, but little is known about what social workers are doing to address the needs of these clients. The purpose of this study was to examine current social work practices in providing care to clients with co-occurring TBI and SUD. Using grounded theory methodology, authors conducted semistructured interviews with 17 licensed social workers employed in various SUD treatment settings. Transcript coding was conducted through an iterative process and data were analyzed using NVivo (version 12.0). Results demonstrated that social workers lack basic knowledge on the relationship between TBI and SUD. Additional barriers to providing care included lack of skills to identify history of TBI, lack of community resources, poor agency collaboration, and access-to-care restrictions. Social workers identified their primary roles as advocacy, care coordination, and serving on multidisciplinary teams. These results informed development of a capacity-building model, with recommendations for social work situated in each level of the socioecological framework. This study has important implications for building workforce capacity and collaborative care systems to improve client outcomes.

The Experiences of Young People Living With Cancer in Regional and Remote Australia: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT There is limited qualitative research specifically exploring the experiences of young people living with cancer in nonmetropolitan Australia. This article reports on an in-depth qualitative study exploring young people’s experiences of diagnosis, treatment, and postcancer care and support, focusing on the impact of living in regional and remote Queensland, Australia. Thematically coded data from in-depth interviews were managed using NVivo 12 qualitative software. Connections with place, knowledge, people, support, lifestyle, and peers were key themes. Travelling for treatment interrupted these connections, with participants desiring treatment closer to home. Preventive social work in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas that supports maintaining connections for young patients from regional and remote areas is recommended. Further research, including the impact on young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer and on the role of social workers, will inform improvements in social work practice. IMPLICATIONS Recognising the importance of connections for young people living with cancer from regional and remote areas can inform social work psychosocial assessments in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan settings, assisting social workers to respond appropriately to information young people share and supporting these valued connections. Enhancing preventive social work care with young people living with cancer from regional and remote areas will involve direct, regular communication at diagnosis and during and after cancer treatment using appropriate age-specific interventions.

Workplace Violence In Social Care Settings: Traumatic Stress And Burnout In Staff.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between frequency of exposure to physical violence/aggression and traumatic stress and burnout in social care workers (SCWs). One hundred SCWs were surveyed using non-experimental, cross-sectional, quantitative design with three questionnaires: Demographic questionnaire, revised Impact of Events Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Responses were analysed using SPSS quantitative software and utilised descriptive statistics, non-parametric correlational and comparative statistical tests. Results indicated statistically significant positive relationships between the frequency of exposure to physical aggression/violence and traumatic stress and burnout measures. Results also indicated significant positive correlations between traumatic stress and burnout. Furthermore, exposure to workplace violence/aggression, traumatic stress, and burnout also positively correlated with SCWs desire to leave the profession in the next five years. Finally, results indicated the presence of a significant protective role of self-care in moderating the perceived effects of workplace violence/aggression on traumatic stress and burnout in SCWs.

Factors affecting dementia care practitioners' decision-making on moves to a care home for persons living with dementia: A factorial survey.

Deciding if and when might be the 'optimal' time for a person living with dementia to move to a care home is often difficult for the individual, family and practitioners. In this study, we describe the outcome of a factorial survey conducted with 100 dementia care practitioners (a frontline health or social care worker who works with people living with dementia) in England, which investigated factors used in deciding when a person living with dementia moves to a care home. Using findings from qualitative interviews with older people living with dementia, family carers, care home managers and social workers, we identified four factors that appeared to influence the decision to move to a care home: (1) Family carers' ability to support the person with daily activities, (2) amount of support provided by home care workers, (3) level of risk of harm and (4) the person living with dementia's wishes. These factors were then randomised within skeleton vignettes that told the story of a fictitious woman (Jane) living with dementia at home with her husband. Fifty-four variations of the vignettes were produced and randomly assigned to 100 surveys. A total of 100 volunteer dementia care practitioners (78% female, 54% over 50years of age) received their own personalised online survey link via email and were asked to read each vignette and decide whether to suggest Jane (a) move to a care home or (b) continue living at home. Results indicated that Jane's wishes principally drove most dementia care practitioners' decision on whether to suggest a move to a care home or stay living at home (odds ratio=6.5-19.5). Findings will inform a better understanding of the factors that contribute toward a decision to move to a care home and be of relevance to policy, practice, training and support.

Improving bone health: addressing the burden through an integrated approach.

As people age, maintaining mobility becomes increasingly imperative, therefore addressing bone health is the most important way to preserve mobility. Poor bone health encompasses a broad spectrum of diseases, but it is most often quantified as the cumulative burden of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Rates of these fractures have been increasing and are expected to continue rising globally, attributed to increasing life expectancy worldwide.No single strategy will be sufficient to address this global public health issue. Co-ordination across a wide array of stakeholders is vital to decrease the health and socioeconomic burden of poor bone health. Stakeholders include an assortment of specialists ranging from health professionals (primary and secondary care clinicians, nurses, physical therapists, and social care workers), policy-makers, government bodies (including departments of health and social services), employers, civil society, as well as patients and their caregivers. We need to ensure that there is a better understanding of the socioeconomic and health consequences of poor bone health to promote better policies to address needs. Building a more resilient health system approach to bone health based on the evidence and sound decision-making will not only improve population health, but will provide cost savings to health systems by preventing poor bone health in the first place. Health systems around the world must prioritise bone health to preserve mobility and wellbeing in advance of the impending surge in demand from ageing populations.Poor bone health is not an inevitable part of ageing. Working across the lifespan, we can all benefit from improved bone health throughout our lives.

Use of MOOCs in Health Care Training: A Descriptive-Exploratory Case Study in the Setting of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This exploratory study is part of the training and innovation project (GID2016-16) of the National University of Distance Education (UNED) in Spain. The current socioeconomic and educational contexts derived from COVID-19 has led university institutions to develop methodological innovations in the teaching-learning process. Among these strengthening measures are the MOOCs, the most appropriate strategy to bring students closer to new digital platforms that favor the acquisition of knowledge. A methodological pluralism, combining quantitative and qualitative perspectives, has been used. The main results of the descriptive analysis compare the data of students enrolled in the MOOC, “Social and Health Care and Social Services in Social Work”, and other related bachelor’s and master’s degree courses during the four years analyzed. One of the conclusions is the emerging possibility of offering university studies that are more in line with the current teleworking market. The development of online methodologies favors the democratization of education, reaching the student body as a whole and universalizing content and learning. Among the main conclusions, it is worth highlighting the degree of satisfaction shown by the students who took advantage of the MOOC, and the training opportunities afforded by MOOC courses, during the time of COVID-19.

SCSS-02. INVOLVEMENT OF SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM AND SOCIAL WORK IN NEUROONCOLOGY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Supportive Care and Social Work services are underutilized in Neurooncology. ASCO Quality Oncology Program Initiative (QOPI) includes emotional assessment by second and advance care planning (ACP) by third oncologic visit in solid malignancies. We looked (1) reason, location, and the duration from diagnosis for the involvement of supportive care teams and (2) what are the determining factors for advanced care planning in glioblastoma. METHODS After obtaining an IRB approval for the study, we performed a retrospective chart review of glioblastoma patients seen at University of Illinois Chicago 2015-2020 using the ICD Code C71.9 for malignant gliomas. Patients who had a pathologic diagnosis of glioblastoma, age > 18 years, and had their entire neurooncologic care at UIC were included in the study. Demographic features, socioeconomic determinants, tumor characteristics, and treatment history were noted. Supportive Care Teams and Social Work notes were reviewed. RESULTS Out of the total 403 patients, there were 78 glioblastoma patients. A total 33 met the inclusion criteria. 10 out of 33 had been seen by the supportive care team. Patients in both groups were equally matched for demographics, socioeconomic determinants, and tumor characteristics. ACP were significantly better documented in the supportive care group (p = 0.035). Supportive Care teams were consulted much later after the disease diagnosis, usually in the inpatient setting mostly consulted for goals of care discussion and hospice enrollment. There was a significant positive correlation between the involvement of Supportive Care team and Social Work. DISCUSSION A multidisciplinary clinic including an inbuilt palliative and social work teams can improve the Quality of Life (QoL) in glioblastoma patients and their caregivers. ICD code 99497 for a dedicated ACP discussion by the neurooncologist can be used. An ongoing phase III RCT EPCOG aims to assess (QoL) in patients with glioblastoma receiving early palliative intervention.