scholarly journals Social Work and Social Care: Mapping Workforce Engagement, Relevance, Experience and Interest in Research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodie Wakefield ◽  
Susan Lavender ◽  
Karen Nixon ◽  
Sam Hornby ◽  
David Dobel-Ober ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Current Drive ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Workforce Engagement ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Interest In Research

Abstract Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been promoted within social work/social care, with emerging evidence of benefit to practitioners and service users. Advocates argue that EBP enables practitioners to have the skills to interpret and evaluate evidence and be actively involved in research. This project aimed to evaluate awareness, experience/skills and value of research, and explore barriers to engagement with research. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken across a diverse range of social work/care staff at a large National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and partner Local Authority. The survey included both closed and an open-ended response to facilitate a mixed method analysis. In total, 208 staff responded (55 percent response) and findings show a high rating on the relevance of research to professional development (73 percent); however, a low level of actual involvement (10 percent) and low levels of confidence/knowledge across a range of research skills. Identified barriers include a lack of knowledge on where/how to begin, lack of evidence that it improves practice, the potential to threaten practice and low capacity and time. These findings highlight a potential gap between a current drive for social work/care to be more evidenced based and the ability of social work/care to enact this approach.

scholarly journals Impact of dementia education and training on health and social care staff knowledge, attitudes and confidence: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e039939
Author(s):  
Sahdia Parveen ◽  
Sarah Jane Smith ◽  
Cara Sass ◽  
Jan R Oyebode ◽  
Andrea Capstick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Training Content ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training ◽  
Dementia Education

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to establish the impact of dementia education and training on the knowledge, attitudes and confidence of health and social care staff. The study also aimed to identify the most effective features (content and pedagogical) of dementia education and training.DesignCross-sectional survey study. Data collection occurred in 2017.SettingsHealth and social care staff in the UK including acute care, mental health community care trusts, primary care and care homes.ParticipantsAll health and social care staff who had completed dementia education and training meeting the minimal standards as set by Health Education England, within the past 5 years were invited to participate in an online survey. A total of 668 health and social care staff provided informed consent and completed an online survey, and responses from 553 participants were included in this study. The majority of the respondents were of white British ethnicity (94.4%) and identified as women (88.4%).OutcomesKnowledge, attitude and confidence of health and social care staff.ResultsHierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted. Staff characteristics, education and training content variables and pedagogical factors were found to account for 29% of variance in staff confidence (F=4.13, p<0.001), 22% of variance in attitude (knowledge) (F=3.80, p<001), 18% of the variance in staff knowledge (F=2.77, p<0.01) and 14% of variance in staff comfort (attitude) (F=2.11, p<0.01).ConclusionThe results suggest that dementia education and training has limited impact on health and social care staff learning outcomes. While training content variables were important when attempting to improve staff knowledge, more consideration should be given to pedagogical factors when training is aiming to improve staff attitude and confidence.

The older person as a client, customer or service user?

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Tinna Elfstrand Corlin ◽  
Ali Kazemi
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe three different approaches to work in elderly care (i.e. professional, market-oriented and person-centred) and examine whether these theoretically derived approaches can be confirmed empirically. Additional aims were to examine the endorsement of these approaches and whether there were differences in the endorsement of these approaches in nursing home vs home care and municipality vs privately run care units. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey study of frontline care staff (n=1,342). Exploratory factor analysis was used to investigate the empirical validity of the proposed approaches to work in elderly care. A series of paired and independent samples t-tests were conducted to analyse mean differences between the proposed approaches to work. Findings A principal axis factoring analysis yielded three theoretically meaningful factors as proposed. These results indicated that the respondents were able to differentiate between three distinct but related approaches to work with older persons. The results also showed that the professional care approach was the highest endorsed and the market-oriented the lowest endorsed approach. No notable differences in approaches to work were observed in nursing home vs home care and municipality vs privately run care units. Originality/value This is the first study to examine multiple approaches to work in elderly care as previous research studies mainly have investigated the person-centred care approach. Current findings indicate that these approaches to work often coexist in various combinations and that the care staff adopts all these approaches but to varying degrees. The approaches differ in several important respects (e.g. legitimacy and view of the older person) and most likely affect the way care staff treats the older person and how the older person perceives their relationship with the care staff. Knowledge about these differences facilitates management of the care staff’s work situation and helps to improve the quality of care.

scholarly journals What symptoms best predict severe distress in an online survey of UK health and social care staff facing COVID-19: development of the two-item Tipping Point Index

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e047345
Author(s):  
Chris R Brewin ◽  
Michael A P Bloomfield ◽  
Jo Billings ◽  
Jasmine Harju-Seppänen ◽  
Talya Greene
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Tipping Point ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Severe Anxiety

ObjectivesCOVID-19 has altered standard thresholds for identifying anxiety and depression. A brief questionnaire to determine when individuals are at a tipping point for severe anxiety or depression would greatly help decisions about when to seek assessment or treatment.DesignData were collected as part of the Frontline-COVID Study, a cross-sectional national online survey with good coverage of health and social care settings. New questionnaire items reflecting when coping was actually breaking down were compared with standard measures of severe anxiety and depression. Data were collected between 27 May and 23 July 2020.SettingThe majority of participants worked in hospitals (53%), in nursing or care homes (15%), or in other community settings (30%).ParticipantsOf 1194 qualifying respondents, 1038 completed the six tipping point items. Respondents included nurses, midwives, doctors, care workers, healthcare assistants, allied healthcare professionals and other non-medical staff. Over 90% were white and female.Main outcome measuresThreshold for severe anxiety according to the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 or moderately severe depression according to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.ResultsAnswering yes to one of two simple questions (‘Over the last week have you been often feeling panicky or on the point of losing control of your emotions?’, ‘Over the last week have you felt complete hopelessness about the future?’) demonstrated very high sensitivity (0.95, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.97) and negative predictive value (0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98). Answering yes to both questions yielded high specificity (0.90, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.92) and positive predictive value (0.72, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.77). Results were replicated in two random subsamples and were consistent across different genders, ethnic backgrounds, and health or social care settings.ConclusionsAnswering two simple yes/no questions can provide simple and immediate guidance to assist with decisions about whether to seek further assessment or treatment.

scholarly journals PREPAREDNESS OF CANADIAN PHYSICIAN OFFICES FOR PAEDIATRIC EMERGENCIES

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e5-e5
Author(s):  
Anushka Weeraratne ◽  
Dayae Jeong ◽  
Suhrata Verma ◽  
Marina Atalla ◽  
Mohammed Hassan-Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
Paediatric Emergency ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Studies in the US have demonstrated that many primary care staff and offices are inadequately prepared for paediatric emergencies. Although the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) recently reaffirmed their “Guidelines for Paediatric Emergency Equipment and Supplies for a Physician’s Office”, no evaluation has been made regarding the impact of publishing these recommendations, or on the state of preparedness for paediatric emergencies in family physician offices. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate awareness of and adherence of family physicians in Ontario to the CPS guidelines on preparedness for paediatric emergencies. DESIGN/METHODS We conducted a province-wide, cross-sectional survey of 749 randomly selected family physicians. Participants were asked to complete a 14-question survey regarding clinic characteristics, incidence of paediatric emergencies, and preparedness of the clinic in the case of a paediatric emergency. Ethics approval was obtained from the regional Ethics Review Board. RESULTS 94 physicians responded to our survey (response rate of 13.1%). 68.1% of respondents reported seeing more than 10 children per week, and 59.6% and had experienced at least one paediatric emergency in the past year. The proportion of physicians reporting paediatric emergencies within the last year increased with the number of children seen - 37.9% of physicians who saw fewer than 10 children per week reported an emergency, compared to 100.0% of those who saw more than 40 children per week. Only 4.3% respondents reported that they were unaware of the CPS guidelines on paediatric emergency preparedness. Although 85.1% of respondents were aware of the guidelines, only 10.6% of respondents had read them. Of the physicians who were aware of but had not read the guidelines, 2.5% engaged in mock code sessions, 27.8% were up-to-date on Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), 1.3% had written protocols outlining safe transport of children to hospitals, and 41.8% stocked half or more of the recommended supplies. In comparison, of the physicians who had read the guidelines, 20.0% engaged in mock code sessions, 50.0% were up-to-date on PALS, 10.0% had written protocols, and 70.0% stocked half or more of the recommended supplies. CONCLUSION A large proportion of respondents had experienced at least one paediatric emergency in the past year, but were overall underprepared. There was a discrepancy between physicians who were aware of the CPS guidelines on emergency preparedness (85.1%), and those who have actually read them (10.6%), though offices with the latter were more adherent to the guidelines’ recommendations. It will be important for CPS to consider how to further advocate for paediatric emergency preparedness in clinics that see children regularly.

Psychological Distress and Social Support Availability in Different Family Caregivers of Latinas With Breast Cancer

2019 ◽  
pp. 104365961989682
Author(s):  
Chris Segrin ◽  
Terry Badger ◽  
Alla Sikorskii
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diverse Range

Introduction: Latinas with breast cancer draw on a diverse range of family members for informal care. Latin cultures typically prescribe high levels of support and care for an ill family member that leave caregivers vulnerable to compromised well-being. Method: In this cross-sectional survey study, 258 family caregivers of Latinas with breast cancer completed reports of psychological distress, availability of social support, and acculturation. Results: Mothers who provide care to a daughter with breast cancer experience higher levels of psychological distress and report lower availability of informational support than most other types of family caregivers. Mothers’ lower levels of acculturation may at least partially explain these reductions in well-being. Discussion: This study highlights the diverse range of family and fictive kin who participate in family caregiving for Latina breast cancer survivors. Spousal caregivers may not represent a unique population, whereas mothers as caregivers are indeed distinct for their higher distress levels.

Runner’s Health Choices Questionnaire: Male College Cross-Country Runners’ Perspectives on Health and Eating

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Laurie Stickler ◽  
Hayley Hall ◽  
Barb Hoogenboom
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Male College ◽  
Health Choices ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Cross Country Runners

Context: Competitive cross-country runners train at much higher loads and with greater demands than recreational runners, posing a unique set of physiological and psychological challenges. Thus, identification of factors influencing health and nutritional choices in male cross-country runners is needed to help combat energy-related health issues. Purpose: To assess male college cross-country runners’ perspectives regarding sport-related health and the factors impacting their eating behaviors. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants/Methods: The Runner’s Health Choices Questionnaire was distributed to male college cross-country runners. Responses were analyzed using quantitative descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred nineteen runners completed the survey. Runners reported a diverse range of factors impacting eating and health behaviors from athletic performance enhancement to enjoyment of food. Less than 6% of athletes ranked athletic trainer, registered dietitian, or physician as often consulted for nutrition/health information. However, 75% of runners said they would be somewhat likely or very likely to make dietary or health changes if given new or additional information by a health care provider. Conclusion: Male cross-country runners appear to try to balance a global desire to be healthy with individual preferences. Athletes may be receptive to nutritional education that utilizes a biopsychosocial model with mental and psychological health support, and intentional effort is needed to support runners’ overall health.

scholarly journals Acute hospital staff’s attitudes towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge: a cross-sectional survey in Ireland

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Keogh ◽  
Wing Ting To ◽  
Louise Daly ◽  
Geralyn Hynes ◽  
Siobhan Kennelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Acute Hospital ◽  
General Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes

Abstract Background Little is known about staff’s attitudes in Irish acute hospital settings towards people living with dementia and their perceived dementia knowledge. The aim of this study was to understand the general level of dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia in different types of hospital staff, as well as to explore the potential influence of previous dementia training and experience (having a family member with dementia) and the potential moderating effects of personal characteristics. This data was required to plan and deliver general and targeted educational interventions to raise awareness of dementia throughout the acute services. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out among a diverse range of hospital staff (n = 1795) in three urban acute general hospitals in Ireland, including doctors, nurses, healthcare attendants, allied professionals, and general support staff. Participants’ perceived dementia knowledge and attitudes were assessed as well as their previous dementia training and experience. To measure participant’s attitude towards dementia, the validated Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire (ADQ) was used. Results Hospital staff demonstrated positive attitudes towards people living with dementia, and believed they had a fair to moderate understanding of dementia. Both ‘having previous dementia training’ and ‘having a relative living with dementia’ predicted attitude towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge. Interestingly, certain personal staff characteristics did impact dementia training in predicting attitude towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge. Conclusion This study provides a baseline of data regarding the attitudes towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge for hospital staff in Irish acute hospitals. The results can inform educational initiatives that target different hospital staff, in order to increase awareness and knowledge to improve quality of dementia care in Irish hospitals.

scholarly journals The impact of elderly social care in the United Kingdom: migrants’ perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osinachi Akanwa Ekeagwu ◽  
Stanley Idika Ukpai
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Impact

Due to the growing elderly population in the United Kingdom, there is increasing demand for formal carers. Research suggests that elderly care may be associated with adverse impacts, however not much is known about migrants who constitute a considerable proportion of formal carers. Given that migrants already face peculiar challenges related to cultural assimilation and social integration, it becomes necessary to investigate the impact of a burdensome yet well sought job among them. This study therefore aimed to investigate the impact (burden and benefit) of elderly social care among migrant carers. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used and data obtained through snowball sampling using web-based questionnaires. Majority of participants (51.6%) confirmed that the choice of the job was financially motivated, even though most (63.3%) experienced stress. Apparently, the perceived stress was related to frustrations stemming from their skills not being fully utilised, but unrelated to gender, prior experience and cultural background. Nevertheless, 66.7% remained happy to recommend their job to others. The inherent caregiver burden should be recognised and addressed by all parties involved including the carers, employers and policy makers. Although the avoidance of caregiver burden entirely may be impossible, there should be room for decreasing this impact and providing respite for those already affected.

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