scholarly journals Professionals’ accounts of genetic testing in adoption: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Arribas-Ayllon ◽  
Angus Clarke ◽  
Katherine Shelton
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Chromosomal Microarray ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Work Training ◽  
Work Training ◽  
History Of ◽  
Genetic Technologies

ObjectiveTo explore social workers’ and medical advisors’ accounts of genetic testing in adoption.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth accounts of retrospective cases. Data were analysed thematically to identify professionals’ knowledge and expectations.ResultsTwenty professionals working in adoption services (including 8 medical advisors and 12 social workers) participated in this study. Social workers adopted an essentialist (single-gene) model to discuss genetic testing in relation to past cases. They assumed that testing was a generic procedure for detecting the presence or absence of a specific aetiology, the results of which were believed to be definitive and mutually exclusive. By contrast, medical advisors were circumspect and agnostic about the meaning of results, especially in relation to chromosomal microarray testing. Whereas social workers believed that genetic testing provided clarity in assessment and therefore assisted adoption, medical advisors emphasised the uncertainties of testing and the possibility that prospective adopters might be misled. Medical advisors also reported inappropriate requests to test children where there was a family history of a genetic condition, or to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in children presenting with non-specific dysmorphic features.ConclusionRecent advances in genetic technologies are changing the ways in which professionals understand and tolerate uncertainty in adoption. Social workers and medical advisors have different understandings and expectations about the clinical utility of genetic testing. These findings have implications for social work training about genetic testing and enabling effective communication between professional groups.

scholarly journals The Auckland MA Sociology (Option II- Social Welfare and Development): A social work qualification gone but not forgotten

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Staniforth
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Resource Limitations ◽  
Social Work Training ◽  
Work Training ◽  
History Of ◽  
Work Education ◽  
The University

INTRODUCTION: The University of Auckland MA in Sociology (Option II–Social Welfare and Development) (“the Programme”) was a qualifying social work programme that admitted students from 1975 to 1979. This article describes this programme and some of the issues that led to its short-lived tenure.METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 staff and students who had been involved with this programme. One person, involved in the accreditation of the Programme was also interviewed, and one person provided feedback in an email. Information was also obtained through archived University of Auckland documents, reports, and various forms of personal correspondence provided by June Kendrick. FINDINGS: The Programme was championed by the Head of the Department of Sociology (David Pitt). There were resource limitations and philosophical tensions within the Department about the qualification. There was little support for its continuation at the end of a three-year grant and after the departure of David Pitt. The New Zealand Social Work Training Council accredited it after its discontinuation.CONCLUSION: The Programme made a valuable contribution to the profession of social work and social work education and forms an important part of the history of social work in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

scholarly journals MOTHERS CARING FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: SUGGESTIONS FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL SUPPORT

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phumudzo Raphulu ◽  
Modjadji Linda Shirindi ◽  
Mankwane Daisy Makofane
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Thematic Data

Caring for children with cerebral palsy presents numerous circumstances which may contribute to mothers’ inability to cope with the demands of meeting their children’s needs. A qualitative study supported by explorative, descriptive and contextual designs was undertaken. Purposive and snowball sampling facilitated the identification of twelve participants who were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The enquiry was based on the ecosystems approach. Thematic data analysis was followed through Tesch’s eight steps and Guba’s model was used for data verification. The findings highlighted the necessity to enhance the psycho-social functioning of mothers through collaboration of social workers, health professionals and various organisations.

Social Work Training Intervention to Increase Referral Rates for Preventive Psychosis Services: A Randomized Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973152110597
Author(s):  
Jordan E. DeVylder ◽  
Nicole D. Andorko ◽  
Melissa E. Smith ◽  
John Fitzgerald ◽  
Emily Petti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Early Intervention Services ◽  
Social Work Training ◽  
Work Training ◽  
Active Training

Purpose Social workers are employed in a broad range of community settings, in which they may be able to identify youth with emerging psychotic symptoms and facilitate connection to specialized services. Methods: This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of a training intervention for social workers ( N = 959) intended to increase the volume of referrals and rate of successful referrals to specialized early psychosis services. Results: During the 2-year study period, referrals to the early intervention program nearly doubled, t (df = 11) = 5.46, p < 0.001. Additionally, the rate of successful referrals was greater among social workers who received the active training (41.7%) compared to the other referral sources (19.2%), X2 (df = 1, n = 311) = 3.69, p = 0.055. Conclusions: The active training was associated with a marginally greater rate of successful referrals. Overall referrals increased greatly during the training period although this could not be linked to specific participants, suggesting contamination effects may have increased community awareness of early intervention services.

scholarly journals Destructive Divorce in the Family Life Cycle and its Implications: Criticisms of Parental Alienation

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josimar Antônio de Alcântara Mendes ◽  
Julia Sursis Nobre Ferro Bucher-Maluschke
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Family Life Cycle ◽  
Parental Alienation ◽  
The Family ◽  
History Of

ABSTRACT Some difficulties may arise during the divorce process, taking the family into “destructive divorce”. In such cases, some authors can see the rising of Parental Alienation (PA). This article aims to criticize PA, reflecting about the Family Life Cycle and divorce. Regarding this, a qualitative study was conducted with legal actors (judges, prosecutors, psychologists, social workers, lawyers) on the issues of divorce and PA and the results were built using the conceptions of Zones of Sense by Gonzalez Rey. The summary results are: (a) PA does not contextualize the conflict; (b) it does not consider the history of the relationships; (c) it pathologizes, medicates and criminalizes the phenomena of post-divorce and (d) PA underestimates the child in the conflict.

The Application of Para Social Work Training in Physically and Sexually Abused Girls Under 18 Years of Age in Tanzania: A Case Study of Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam Region

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Leah Natujwa Omari
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Sexually Abused ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Young Girls ◽  
Social Work Training ◽  
Work Training ◽  
The Social ◽  
Community Volunteers

The article presents a case of Para Social work training which basically aim at explaining how this training is essential in providing care and support to young Girls who are physically and sexually abused in Tanzania. It attempts to explain how the victims’ families with the help of Para Social workers can be linked to much-needed services. The objective of this study was to examine the application of Para Social work training in physically and sexually abused girls in Temeke Municipal, Dar es Salaam region. The study was also set to explore possible measure used to reduce the risk of physically and sexually abuse among young girls in addition to Para Social work training in Temeke Municipal, Dar es Salaam region. A major framework of sociological theory was used. The symbolic interactionism was employed in this study to explore symbolic meanings that community members developed and used in the process of social interaction. The family members of abused girls would interpret the behaviour of the young girls and therefore form the social bond which later was used to inform the community members about the problem that they were facing. This theoretical perspective helped the Para Social worker to make sense of the life experiences of young girls’ and understand their coping strategies including the increasing capacity of Para Social workers to access resources for improving care for young girls and their families. Further the theory increased capacity to understand how Para Social workers could generate the Eight (8) Years Plan for Development which was used in protecting young girls against physical and sexual abuse within their community. The theory enlightens community volunteers and Para Social workers in planning for various interventions in violence against children in Tanzania. Further, the study confirmed that community volunteers and Para Social workers suggested on the use of National Plan of Action for their interventions especially in emerging issues that needed their attention especially in reducing the problem of violence against children in their communities. This perspective helped to capture the behaviour of young girls and how they symbolically navigate their lives. The meaning and significance of young girls and the effect of abuse enable us to capture the social reality of those who dealt with the abuse and the measurement to reduce the problem using their own perspectives. This study used qualitative approach which included in-depth Interview and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Also purposive sampling was used whereby 50 informants were selected as a sample size of this study. The informants came from Temeke district in Dar es Salaam region.The Findings revealed that, since the development of Para Social work trainings in 2006, most vulnerable children especially young girls have enabled Para Social workers to be fully equipped and be able to apply relevant social policies effectively. Such policies include Sexual Offences Provisional Act of 1988(SOSPA), Child Development Policy of 2008 and the Law of the Child Act number 21 of 2009. Furthermore the Para Social work training has facilitated the process of identifying young girls who is abused. Thereafter Para Social workers have helped the girls’ families to develop and implement a plan of support.The study recommends to Para Social workers that young girls need to be understood in terms of situation and be protected from hazardous condition including physical and sexual abuse within their communities. Further the study recommends that it is important to strengthen child protection systems so that all kinds of abuse are addressed and worked on clearly in their communities. As for policy makers and law makers’ young girls have to be in their agenda for change. Para Social workers participation in this training is important as there are no enough staffs at the ward and village levels who could work for social workers. The availability of Para Social workers will facilitate linkages to available resources which are important for young girls’ growth and development. The attitude and perceptions towards using Para Social workers to help community members including the parents and other family members of young girls need to be changed for the benefit of the community members they serve.

scholarly journals Patient use of blood pressure self-screening facilities in general practice waiting rooms: a qualitative study in the UK

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (660) ◽  
pp. e467-e473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice C Tompson ◽  
Sabrina Grant ◽  
Sheila M Greenfield ◽  
Richard J McManus ◽  
Susannah Fleming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Patient Use ◽  
At Home

BackgroundBlood pressure (BP) self-screening, whereby members of the public have access to BP monitoring equipment outside of healthcare consultations, may increase the detection and treatment of hypertension. Currently in the UK such opportunities are largely confined to GP waiting rooms.AimTo investigate the reasons why people do or do not use BP self-screening facilities.Design and settingA cross-sectional, qualitative study in Oxfordshire, UK.MethodSemi-structured interviews with members of the general public recruited using posters in GP surgeries and community locations were recorded, transcribed, and coded thematically.ResultsOf the 30 interviewees, 20% were hypertensive and almost half had self-screened. Those with no history of elevated readings had limited concern over their BP: self-screening filled the time waiting for their appointment or was done to help their doctor. Patients with hypertension self-screened to avoid the feelings they associated with ‘white coat syndrome’ and to introduce more control into the measurement process. Barriers to self-screening included a lack of awareness, uncertainty about technique, and worries over measuring BP in a public place. An unanticipated finding was that several interviewees preferred monitoring their BP in the waiting room than at home.ConclusionBP self-screening appeared acceptable to service users. Further promotion and education could increase awareness among non-users of the need for BP screening, the existence of self-screening facilities, and its ease of use. Waiting room monitors could provide an alternative for patients with hypertension who are unwilling or unable to monitor at home.

scholarly journals Pengetahuan dan Skil Pekerja Sosial Kesihatan Mental di Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
FATIMAH ZAILLY AHMAD RAMLI ◽  
YUSMARHAINI YUSOF ◽  
NORFARAHIN MOHD NOOR
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Psychosocial Assessment ◽  
Mental Health Setting ◽  
Social Work Training ◽  
Academic Qualification ◽  
Work Training

Knowledges and skills in providing documentation, client assessment and problems solving based on theories and relevance methods are essential roles in the social work profession. The ability to conduct psychosocial assessment among clinical social workers are particularly important in mental health for social work to help clients to overcome their problems. Face to face interviews were conducted with respondents working in mental health setting. Semi- structured interview was utilised to identify the knowledge and skills required for a mental health social worker. Respondents’ transcription were analysed using thematic analysis based on the research objectives. Findings showed that elements of knowledges and skills required by social workers in mental health setting could be categorized into four components: (i) knowledge in doing assessment; (ii) knowledge about mental health and the competencies in relevant theories; (iii) knowledge on academic qualification and advanced social work training and (iv) additional skills as a social worker in a mental health setting.  

Germline pathogenic variants in patients with pheochromocytoma.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 668-668
Author(s):  
Shirley A Yao ◽  
Elizabeth A Wiley ◽  
Lisa R. Susswein ◽  
Megan L. Marshall ◽  
Natalie J. Carter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Family History ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Panel Testing ◽  
Pathogenic Variants ◽  
Gene Testing ◽  
History Of ◽  
Testing Algorithms ◽  
Cancer Panel

668 Background: Approximately 25% of pheochromocytomas (PCC) have a hereditary basis, and germline variants in the SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SDHAF2, TMEM127, MAX, VHL, FH, RET, MEN1, and NF1 genes have been associated with a predisposition to PCC and paraganglioma (PGL). Multi-gene hereditary cancer panel testing for PCC has become increasingly more common than single-gene testing algorithms. Identification of a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant (PV/LPV) in one of these genes has important implications for surveillance in patients and their family members. Here we describe the spectrum of PV/LPV variants identified in individuals with PCC. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of clinical and molecular data for all individuals diagnosed with PCC who underwent panel testing through BioReference Laboratories that included at least SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SDHAF2, TMEM127, MAX, VHL, FH, RET, MEN1, and NF1 between January 2016 and February 2017. Results: Seventy-nine individuals underwent testing due to a personal (n = 76) or family (n = 3) history of PCC. The positive yield was 14% (11/79). The majority of PV/LPV were in SDHB (n = 4; 36%), followed by RET (n = 2, 18%), with the remaining variants being identified in SDHA (1), SDHC (1), VHL (1), TMEM127 (1), and MAX (1). Approximately half (6/11) of those with a PV/LPV had a non-syndromic presentation of a unilateral PCC with no reported family history of PCC or PGL. The average age at tumor diagnosis was lower for probands testing positive than those without PV/LPV (34y±14 vs 44y±16). Conclusions: Our data support previous recommendations that patients with apparently sporadic, non-syndromic PCC be considered for genetic testing. Panel testing is a useful tool for identifying individuals with hereditary PCC.

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