scholarly journals Diarised Reflections on COVID-19 and Bereavement: Disruptions and Affordances

2021 ◽  
pp. 105413732110440
Author(s):  
Karen West ◽  
Hannah Rumble ◽  
Rachel Shaw ◽  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Caity Roleston
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Social Expectations ◽  
Bereavement Support ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Face ◽  
Positive Valence ◽  
The Uk

COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing measures have restricted funerals and memorial events and have limited the face-to-face social networks that grieving people might normally be able to draw upon for emotional support. However, while there is considerable expert informed speculation about the impacts of grief and “COVID bereavement”, detailed accounts of experiences of bereavement and bereavement support during the pandemic have the potential to enrich and provide nuance and subtlety to the evidence base. This paper draws on diary accounts of bereavement support volunteers in the UK, who have been providing support for the bereaved through these challenging times. These reveal layers of complexity to the experiences of loss, grief and bereavement during these extraordinary times. However, they also point to a number of additional themes that lend a more positive valence to the suspension of normal social expectations and memorial practices associated with the pandemic, which, we argue should be reflected upon for their potential to address the discontents of contemporary governance of end of life and bereavement.

scholarly journals Support needs and barriers to accessing support: Baseline results of a mixed-methods national survey of people bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily J Harrop ◽  
Silvia Goss ◽  
Damian JJ Farnell ◽  
Mirella Longo ◽  
Anthony Byrne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Support ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Bereavement Support ◽  
Text Data ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Uk ◽  
High Level ◽  
Levels Of Support ◽  
Access Services

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a mass bereavement event which has profoundly disrupted grief experiences. Understanding support needs and access to support among people bereaved at this time is crucial to ensuring appropriate bereavement support infrastructure. Aim: To investigate grief experiences, support needs and use of formal and informal bereavement support among people bereaved during the pandemic. Design: Baseline results from a longitudinal survey. Support needs and experiences of accessing support are reported using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of free-text data. Setting/Participants: 711 adults bereaved in the UK between March-December 2020, recruited via media, social media, national associations and community/charitable organisations. Results: High-level needs for emotional support were identified. Most participants had not sought support from bereavement services (59%, n=422) or their GP (60%, n=428). Of participants who had sought such support, over half experienced difficulties accessing bereavement services (56%, n=149)/GP support (52%, n=135). 51% reported high/severe vulnerability in grief; among these, 74% were not accessing bereavement or mental-health services. Barriers included limited availability, lack of appropriate support, discomfort asking for help, and not knowing how to access services. 39% (n=279) experienced difficulties getting support from family/friends, including relational challenges, little face-to-face contact, and disrupted collective mourning. The perceived uniqueness of pandemic bereavement and wider societal strains exacerbated their isolation. Conclusions: People bereaved during the pandemic have high levels of support needs alongside difficulties accessing support. We recommend increased provision and tailoring of bereavement services, improved information on support options, and social/educational initiatives to bolster informal support and ameliorate isolation.

Population-based end-of-life care

2019 ◽  
pp. 739-762
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Developed Nations

This chapter describes the changing face of end-of-life care in the face of demographic changes and the need for a population-based approach in providing end-of-life care in a meaningful manner. Building on the major advances in palliative or end of life care across the world over recent decades, there now seems to be radical groundswell of change in this area, as we face the major challenge of meeting the needs the ageing population. This challenge, most noted in the developed nations, now places specific and seemingly overwhelming unprecedented demands on all our health and social care services. Some would argue that a new approach is needed, building on lessons learnt, to care for the rising numbers of people nearing the last stage of life within our population—in other words, a population approach to end-of-life care. Using examples from the Gold Standards Framework in the UK, the chapter explores the importance of enabling generalists to deliver high quality care across a population, citing a variety of examples and programmes promoting person-centred care at the end of life.

scholarly journals Bereavement during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK: What do we know so far?

Bereavement ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Harrop ◽  
Lucy Selman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Life Care ◽  
The Uk

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a devastating mass bereavement event, with measures to control the virus leading to unprecedented changes to end-of-life and mourning practices. In this review we consider the research evidence on the experiences of people bereaved during the pandemic. We summarise key findings reported in the first five publications from our UK-based Bereavement during COVID-19 study, drawing comparisons with available evidence from other studies of bereavement during the pandemic. We summarise these findings across three main topics: experiences at the end of life and in early bereavement; coping and informal support during the pandemic; and access to bereavement and mental health services. The synthesis demonstrates the exceptional challenges of pandemic bereavement, including high levels of disruption to end-of-life care, dying and mourning practices as well as to people’s social networks and usual coping mechanisms. We identified considerable needs for emotional, therapeutic and informal support among bereaved people, compounded by significant difficulties in receiving and accessing such support. We provide evidence-based recommendations for improving people’s experiences of bereavement and access to support at all levels.

scholarly journals APRENDER “COM” A TECNOLOGIA: O uso do Facebook no processo de aprendizagem e interação de curso online

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 658-669
Author(s):  
Elaine Jesus Alves ◽  
Bento Duarte da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Cognitive Tools ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Redes Sociales ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Face ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
La Red ◽  
Course Integration

Aprender com tecnologias na perspectiva de Jonassen (1996) compreende encarar as tecnologias digitais de informação e comunicação - TDIC como ferramentas cognitivas em que o estudante toma partido efetivo do seu potencial usando-as para ampliar seu conhecimento. Neste caso, a partícula com indica parceria, ou seja, o estudante não é controlado pela tecnologia, antes assume o domínio desta para atender a seus objetivos de aprendizagem. Assim, este artigo discute o papel das redes sociais nos contextos educativos presenciais e mediados por tecnologias. Neste sentido, o texto apresenta a experiência do uso da rede social Facebook no processo de aprendizagem entre os servidores da Universidade Federal do Tocantins alunos do curso Integração do  servidor na UFT 2016.   PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Ferramentas cognitivas,  Redes Sociais, Facebook.     ABSTRACT Learning from technologies from the perspective of Jonassen (1996) includes looking at digital information and communication technologies (TDIC) as cognitive tools in which the student effectively takes advantage of their potential by using them to broaden their knowledge. In this case, the particle with indicates partnership, that is, the student is not controlled by the technology, but rather takes control of it to meet its learning objectives. Thus, this article discusses the role of social networks in the face-to-face and technology-mediated educational contexts. In this sense, the text presents the experience of using the social network Facebook in the process of learning among the servers of the Federal University of Tocantins students of the course Integration of the server in UFT 2016. From the observation of the participations of the students in the group created on Facebook for the course, as well as the analysis of the final evaluation of the module, data was collected that demonstrated the success of the experience considering the significant interest of the participants in the module due to the differential that Facebook offers in terms of accessibility and ease of interaction. However, the article points out some bottlenecks during the process that are interesting to share in order to expand theoretical production in this area of ​​increasing expansion - educational technology.   KEYWORDS: : Cognitive Tools, Social Networks, Facebook.     RESUMEN Aprender de las tecnologías desde la perspectiva de Jonassen (1996) incluye considerar las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación digitales (TDIC) como herramientas cognitivas en las que el estudiante aprovecha efectivamente su potencial al usarlas para ampliar sus conocimientos. En este caso, la partícula con indica asociación, es decir, el estudiante no está controlado por la tecnología, sino que toma el control de la misma para cumplir con sus objetivos de aprendizaje. Por lo tanto, este artículo analiza el papel de las redes sociales en los contextos educativos presenciales y de tecnología. En este sentido, el texto presenta la experiencia de utilizar la red social Facebook en el proceso de aprendizaje entre los servidores de los estudiantes de la Universidad Federal de Tocantins del curso Integración del servidor en UFT 2016. Desde la observación de las participaciones de los estudiantes en el grupo creado en Facebook para El curso, así como el análisis de la evaluación final del módulo, se recopilaron datos que demostraron el éxito de la experiencia, considerando el gran interés de los participantes en el módulo debido al diferencial que ofrece Facebook en términos de accesibilidad y facilidad de interacción. Sin embargo, el artículo señala algunos cuellos de botella durante el proceso que es interesante compartir para ampliar la producción teórica en esta área de expansión creciente: tecnología educativa.   PALABRAS CLAVE: Herramientas Cognitivas, Redes Sociales, Facebook.

Stage Two-Visiting the American Core

Going Virtual ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 116-140
Author(s):  
Paul Hildreth
Keyword(s):  
Face To Face ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Uk

Chapter VI describes Stage Two of the case study. Here we participate in a visit made by the UK core of the CoP to visit its peers in the US. In Stage Two, we want to focus on the issues and insights gained from our time with the UK core. In particular, Stage One showed us the importance of relationships for sustaining a distributed CoP and the importance of a face-to-face element in the development of the relationships. In Stage Two, we can observe the face-to-face element between the cores. Stage One also showed us the importance of the development and use of a shared artefact in the form of the planning document. In Stage Two, we can follow the continued development and use of the planning document.

scholarly journals Life's hard and then you die: the end-of-life priorities of people experiencing homelessness in the UK

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Ann Webb ◽  
Theresa Mitchell ◽  
Paul Snelling ◽  
Brian Nyatanga
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Interpretive Phenomenology ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Community Approach ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Structured Audio ◽  
The Uk

Background: People experiencing homelessness often die young and without adequate support. In the UK, they fail to access palliative care services and their end-of-life priorities remain poorly understood. Aims: To explore the end-of-life concerns, fears, preferences and priorities of a sample of people experiencing homelessness in the UK. Methods: This is an interpretive phenomenology. Data collected through semi-structured, audio-recorded, face-to-face interviews with 21 homeless participants in the UK were analysed iteratively using thematic analysis. Findings have been interpreted through the lens of Merleau-Ponty's philosophy. Results: Eight themes are reported: spiritual concerns; practical concerns; fear of needing care; fear of being forgotten; preference for dying suddenly; preference for being somewhere comfortable where people know me; prioritising autonomy and self-determination; and prioritising authenticity. Conclusion: A strengths-based, trauma-informed, person-centred, collaborative ‘compassionate community’ approach to care is recommended for people experiencing homelessness at end of life.

scholarly journals Can Intersectionality Help with Understanding and Tackling Health Inequalities? Perspectives of Professional Stakeholders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Holman ◽  
Sarah Salway ◽  
Andrew Bell ◽  
Brian Beach ◽  
Adewale Adebajo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Specific Policy ◽  
Policy Suggestions ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background: The concept of ‘intersectionality’ is increasingly employed within public health arenas, particularly in North America, and is often heralded as offering great potential to advance health inequalities research and action. Given persistently poor progress towards tackling health inequalities, and recent calls to reframe this agenda in the UK and Europe, the possible contribution of intersectionality deserves attention. Yet, no existing research has examined professional stakeholder understandings and perspectives on applying intersectionality to this field. In this paper we seek to address that gap. Methods: drawing upon a consultation survey and workshop undertaken in the UK. The survey included both researchers (n=53) and practitioners (n=20) with varied roles and levels of engagement in research and evaluation. Topics included: familiarity with the term and concept ‘intersectionality’, relevance to health inequalities work, and issues shaping its uptake. Respondents were also asked to comment on two specific policy suggestions; targeting and tailoring interventions to intersectional sub-groups, and evaluating the intersectional effects of policies. 23 people attended the face-to-face workshop. The aims of the workshop were to: share examples of applying intersectionality within health inequalities research and practice; understand the views of research and practice colleagues on potential contributions and challenges; and identify potential ways to promote intersectional approachesResults: Findings indicated a generally positive response to the concept and a cautiously optimistic assessment that intersectional approaches could be valuable. However, opinions were mixed and various challenges were raised, especially around whether intersectionality research is necessarily critical and transformative and, accordingly, how it should be operationalised methodologically. Nonetheless, there was general agreement that intersectionality is concerned with diverse inequalities and the systems of power that shape them.Conclusions: In the UK health inequalities policy and practice context there are a number of potential ways forward for intersectionality in helping to understand and tackle such inequalities.

scholarly journals Qualitative Research and the Evidence Base of Policy: Insights from Studies of Teenage Mothers in the UK

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
HILARY GRAHAM ◽  
ELIZABETH McDERMOTT
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Teenage Mothers ◽  
Teenage Motherhood ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Evidence For Policy

Qualitative research is ambiguously placed as a source of evidence for policy. It provides a way of accessing the experiences and perspectives of those targeted by welfare interventions, yet it is routinely excluded from the evidence reviews undertaken to inform these interventions. The article explores what qualitative research – mapped and synthesised through a systematic review – can contribute to evidence and policy. Taking teenage motherhood as a case study, it juxtaposes the conclusions of quantitative reviews with themes emerging from a systematic review of qualitative studies of teenage mothers’ lives. It highlights how teenage motherhood, identified in quantitative reviews and in policy interventions as a route to social exclusion, emerges in these studies as an act of social inclusion. It highlights, too, how social disapproval as well as material hardship weigh on teenage mothers, and the potential role that policies could play in supporting the identities and resilient practices mothers develop in the face of material and social disadvantage.

scholarly journals Music therapy in UK palliative and end-of-life care: a service evaluation

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Graham-Wisener ◽  
Grace Watts ◽  
Jenny Kirkwood ◽  
Craig Harrison ◽  
Joan McEwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Uk

Music therapy aligns to the holistic approach to palliative and end-of-life care (PEOLC), with an emergent evidence base reporting positive effect on a range of health-related outcomes for both patient and family carer alongside high client demand. However, the current service provision and the role of music therapists in supporting individuals receiving PEOLC in the UK is currently unknown.ObjectivesThis service evaluation aims to identify the provision, role and perceived impact of UK music therapists in supporting patients receiving PEOLC, their families and health and social care professionals.MethodsA survey was distributed to the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) member mailing list in July 2017. BAMT is the professional body for Health and Care Professions Council registered music therapists in the UK.ResultsFifty respondents identified themselves as music therapists currently working with clients receiving PEOLC. The respondents largely reported (84.7%) less than 10 years of experience working in PEOLC settings, with only a minority receiving statutory funding for their role. Music therapists most commonly reported supporting adults with neurological conditions, cancers and dementia.ConclusionsAlthough promising that evidence suggests provision of music therapy in UK PEOLC settings in the past 10 years to have increased, lack of sustainable funding suggests the role to not be consistently accessible in PEOLC.

scholarly journals Exploring the experience of Gamblers Anonymous meetings during COVID-19: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy L. Penfold ◽  
Jane Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Social ◽  
Gamblers Anonymous ◽  
The Uk

AbstractWhilst much research has explored the possible causes and consequences of gambling, Gamblers Anonymous (GA) − one of the most accessed forms of support for gamblers - has been largely overlooked and, to date, only a few studies have explored how members experience this programme. Core to GA is the social interaction between members. From March 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic forced GA to move their meetings online. The present qualitative study therefore explored how GA members experienced these online meetings in the absence of actual face to face interactions with others. Individual telephone or video call interviews (n = 21) were carried out with members of GA in the UK and analysed using Thematic Analysis. The results described three main themes: (1) ‘practicalities of GA in lockdown’, which highlighted the practical benefits of online meetings such as more opportunity to attend different meetings, which in turn expanded participants’ perspectives and social networks; (2) ‘the importance of relationships in GA’, reflecting strong and enduring social networks that were created, maintained, and strengthened by feelings of solidarity; and (3) ‘therapeutic elements of the meetings’, such as psychological contract making which helped participants to stay abstinent. Transcending these themes was a tension between individual versus group identity with interviewees reporting a shift to focusing more on their own needs rather than those of the group. Overall, whilst still providing a lifeline during COVID-19 and offering some practical benefits, the online GA meetings were not able to completely replicate the value individuals gained from face to face meetings. This transition also resulted in disruptions both to group dynamics and to individual interactions within each group, ultimately resulting in participants behaving more individualistically and less collectively than in face-to-face meetings.

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