scholarly journals The Comparative Study of Social Organizations and Hospital

Author(s):  
Dr. Vinay. K. U.

Abstract: Hospital is a social organization and logical combination of the activities of a number of persons with different level of knowledge and skill for achieving a common goal of patient care through a hierarchy of authority and responsibility. Public and professional interest in health services has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Medical sociologists have been interested in the structure, organization, dynamics, and impact of health services for well over 50 years. Sociologists have been instrumental in highlighting the challenges associated with integrating care, as well as the inter‐ and intra‐organizational dynamics that are occurring within increasingly complex healthcare systems (Flood and Fennel 1995; Light 2004; Scott et al. 2000). Understanding these organizational changes is critical because they reflect fundamental shifts in the nature of medical work and the delivery of health services. Today’s complex health systems represent fundamentally new configurations of an increasingly broad array of professional expertise that is altering the long standing system of professional. In this, the health care system has been elaborately discussed focusing mainly on hospital system. Following are some of the points focusing on hospital as a social organization. Goffman described hospitals as “total institutions” (referring in particular to asylums for those with mental health problems, but also to hospitals more generally), in which people were isolated from society over a period of time and led life an in enclosed and formally administered way (Goffman, 1968). He argued that, as a result of this experience, people often formed new relationships and attachments dependent on these institutions (i.e. underwent a process of “institutionalization”) that could make re-integration into the community on discharge very difficult. Keywords: Social organization, Hospital, Medical sociologists, Goffman, system of professional, “institutionalization

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Dickens ◽  
Judy Weleminsky ◽  
Yetunde Onifade ◽  
Philip Sugarman

Aims and methodMental Health Recovery Star is a multifaceted 10-item outcomes measure and key-working tool that has been widely adopted by service providers in the UK. We aimed to explore its factorial validity, internal consistency and responsiveness. Recovery Star readings were conducted twice with 203 working-age adults with moderate to severe mental health problems attending a range of mental health services, and a third time with 113 of these individuals.ResultsMental Health Recovery Star had high internal consistency and appeared to measure an underlying recovery-oriented construct. Results supported a valid two-factor structure which explained 48% of variance in Recovery Star ratings data. Two Recovery Star items (‘relationships’ and ‘addictive behaviour’) did not load onto either factor. There was good statistically significant item responsiveness, and no obvious item redundancy. Data for a small number of variables were not normally distributed and the implications of this are discussed.Clinical implicationsRecovery Star has been received enthusiastically by both mental health service providers and service users. This study provides further evidence for its adoption in recovery-focused mental health services and indicates that items relating to addictive behaviour, responsibilities and work could be further developed in future.


1975 ◽  
Vol 13 (25) ◽  
pp. 99-100

Although most universities run a health service, students with important mental health problems are often seen by their general practitioner. There are a number of reasons for this; first, health services in the colleges of higher education outside universities are still patchy and incomplete. Second, students are on vacation for up to 24 weeks a year. Third, a student may choose to consult anyone, and may prefer someone unconnected with the university. Last, many students live at home and continue to see their general practitioner. This underlines the need for close liason between the general practitioner and student health services.


1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gifford Sawyer ◽  
Robert John Kosky

Approximately 10% of children and adolescents experience mental health problems, however only a small proportion receive specialised help. Identifying approaches which can provide a balanced and effective service for the large number of children and adolescents with problems is currently a major challenge for child and adolescent mental health services in Australia. In South Australia, following a review in 1983, child and adolescent services were reorganised into two separate but closely related services. This paper draws on experience in South Australia over the last decade to identify approaches which can be employed in six key areas that significantly influence the effectiveness of child and adolescent mental health services. The paper also describes the specific features which were included in the South Australian child and adolescent mental health service to address these issues.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Conchar ◽  
Julie Repper

Purpose – A systematic review of the literature on “wounded healers” was undertaken to identify, define and interpret the term and its application within the mental health environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Eight key medical/social sciences databases were interrogated. In total, 835 papers were identified in the systematic database search and abstracts were obtained for each to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. In total, 237 sources were retrieved for critical reading, to assess relevance and value to the review, and 125 documents were subsequently included. Through thematic analysis a number of themes and sub themes were identified Findings – The archetypal image of the wounded healer originates in ancient mythology and crosses many cultures. There are many interpretations and applications of the belief that having healed their own wounds a person is in a better position to heal others, however, the evidence to support this is not so robust. Of more direct relevance to contemporary practice are reports of supporting staff with mental health problems to make a contribution to mental health services, most recently through the employment of peer support workers. Originality/value – As peer support workers are increasingly being employed in mental health services, it is helpful to consider the many existing staff who bring personal experience of mental health problems. This paper explores the evidence that their lived experience makes a difference to the way that they work and considers their employment support needs.


Author(s):  
N. Crowley ◽  
H. O’Connell ◽  
M. Gervin

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disability with multi-systemic impacts. Individuals with ASD without intellectual impairment (DSM-V) or Aspergers (DSM-IV) are often particularly vulnerable to mental health problems such as anxiety disorders including social phobia and generalised anxiety disorder, depressive disorders and psychosis. Adults with ASD without intellectual impairment suffer higher rates of physical and psychiatric morbidity, display a poorer ability to engage with treatment and have a lower chance of recovery compared with the general population. It is widely acknowledged that adults with suspected ASD without intellectual impairment and co-morbid mental health problems are often not best supported through adult mental health services and often require more tailored supports. This review seeks to (a) increase awareness in the area of undiagnosed cases of ASD without intellectual impairment in adult mental health settings and (b) highlights the importance of identifying this population more efficiently by referring to best practice guidelines. The value of future research to examine the benefit of having a team of specialist staff within adult mental health teams who have received ASD training and who are supported to work with the ‘core difficulties’ of ASD is discussed and a model for the same is proposed. It is proposed that a specialist team could form a ‘hub’ for the development of expertise in ASD, which when adequately resourced and funded could reach across an entire region, offering consultancy and diagnostic assessments and interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Frerichs ◽  
Jo Billings ◽  
Nick Barber ◽  
Anjie Chhapia ◽  
Beverley Chipp ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Loneliness is associated with negative outcomes, including increased mortality and is common among people with mental health problems. This qualitative study, which was carried out as part of a feasibility trial, aimed to understand what enables and hinders people with severe depression and/or anxiety under the care of secondary mental health services in the United Kingdom to participate in the Community Navigator programme, and make progress with feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness. The programme consisted of up to ten meetings with a Community Navigator and three optional group sessions. Methods Semi-structured interviews were carried out with participants (n = 19) shortly after programme completion. A co-produced two-stage qualitative approach, involving narrative and reflexive thematic analysis, was undertaken by members of the study’s working group, which included experts by experience, clinicians and researchers. Results The narrative analysis showed that individuals have varied goals, hold mixed feelings about meeting other people and define progress differently. From the thematic analysis, six themes were identified that explained facilitators and challenges to participating in the programme: desire to connect with others; individual social confidence; finding something meaningful to do; the accessibility of resources locally; the timing of the programme; and the participant’s relationship with the Community Navigator. Conclusions We found that people with severe depression and/or anxiety supported by secondary mental health services may want to address feelings of loneliness but find it emotionally effortful to do so and a major personal challenge. This emotional effort, which manifests in individuals differently, can make it hard for participants to engage with a loneliness programme, though it was through facing personal challenges that a significant sense of achievement was felt. Factors at the individual, interpersonal and structural level, that enable or hinder an individual’s participation should be identified early, so that people are able to make the best use out of the Community Navigator or other similar programmes.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany Cliffe ◽  
Abigail Croker ◽  
Megan Denne ◽  
Jacqueline Smith ◽  
Paul Stallard

BACKGROUND Insomnia in adolescents is common, persistent, and associated with poor mental health including anxiety and depression. Insomnia in adolescents attending child mental health services is seldom directly treated and the effects of digital CBTi on the mental health of adolescents with significant mental health problems is unknown. OBJECTIVE This paper reports an open study assessing the feasibility of adding supported online CBT for insomnia to the usual care of young people aged 14-17 years attending specialist child and adolescent mental health services. METHODS Thirty-nine adolescents aged 14-17 attending specialist child and adolescent mental health services with insomnia were assessed and offered digital CBTi. The digital intervention was Sleepio, an evidence based, self-directed, fully automated CBTi that has proven effective in multiple randomized controlled trials with adults. Self-report assessments of sleep (Sleep Condition Indicator, Insomnia Severity Scale, online sleep diaries), anxiety (Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale) and depression (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire) were completed at baseline and post-intervention. Post-use interviews assessed satisfaction with digital CBTi. RESULTS Average baseline sleep efficiency was very poor (52.9%) with participants spending an average of 9.6 hrs in bed but only 5.1 hrs asleep. All scored <17 on the Sleep Condition Indicator with 36/39 (92.3%) scoring ≥15 on the Insomnia Severity Scale, suggesting clinical insomnia. 36 (92.3%) scored ≥ 27 on the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire for major depression and 20 (51.3%) had clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety. The majority (76%) were not having any treatment for their insomnia, with the remaining 24% receiving medication. Sleepio was acceptable with 77% (30/39) activating their account and 67% (21/30) completing the program. Statistically significant pre-post improvements were found in weekly diaries of sleep efficiency (p=.005) and sleep quality (p=.001) and on measures of sleep (SCI; p=.001: ISI; p=.001), low mood (MFQ; p=.024) and anxiety (RCADS; p=.015). Satisfaction was high; with 89% finding Sleepio helpful, 94% would recommend it to a friend with 39% expressing a definite preference for a digital intervention. CONCLUSIONS Our study has a number of methodological limitations, particularly the small sample size, absence of a comparison group and follow-up assessment. Nonetheless, our findings are encouraging and suggest that digital CBTi for young people with mental health problems might offer an acceptable and an effective way to improve both sleep and mental health. CLINICALTRIAL N/a


Author(s):  
Joy Patricia Pushparani ◽  
Chitra A. ◽  
Kalpana J.

Background: Sweepers and sanitary workers are getting exposed to hazardous dust during their work. The health profile of the sanitary workers and utilization of health services are not clearly known. This study aimed to assess the health profile and associated risk factors among street sweepers and sanitary workers.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 73 street sweepers and sanitary workers in a zone of Greater Chennai Corporation by multistage sampling method, during November 2016 to December 2016 using a semi structured questionnaire.Results: Among the respondents 67.1% were females, 2/3rd of them belonged to the age group of 30-40 years. Majority of them (82.2%) had reported to have musculoskeletal problems followed by respiratory problems (61.6%), ophthalmic problems (53.4%), skin problems (38.4%), mental health problems (39.7%). Most of the respondents had multiple problems. Musculoskeletal problems were more common among the female workers (p=0.002). Health problems like headache, fatigue, giddiness were more common among the workers who worked for >5 years (p=0.006). The utilization of health services was better among those workers who had formal school education (p=0.042).Conclusions: This study concludes majority of them have musculoskeletal problems followed by respiratory problems and ophthalmic problems. Usage of personal protective equipments and utilization of health services by the sweepers and sanitary workers were poor. Hence steps have to be taken to improve the health status by subjecting them to periodic screening and sensitization programs on usage of PPE.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Marie ◽  
Zareefa Shaabna ◽  
Manahel Saleh

Abstract Background: Mental health conditions remain a significant cause of disability in the Arab World. Palestinians are predominantly at a higher risk for mental health problems due to their chronic exposure to political violence, prolonged displacement, and others as limited professional, educational, financial opportunities and mental health services. Schizophrenia is an overwhelming mental illness that affects nearly one percent of the various populations throughout the world. Studies have shown patients with schizophrenia die prematurely and have lower life expectancy compared to the general population. Moreover, antipsychotic medications and client’s lifestyle play a significant role in increased morbidity and mortality in these patients. The present study willingly undertakes a literature review on schizophrenia in the context of mental health services in Palestine.Methods: Studies were identified through PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Semantic Scholar and Elsevier.Results: Twenty-four studies were included in this review; eleven articles related to schizophrenia and thirteen articles related to mental health services in Westbank and Gaza. Results revealed the life of patients with schizophrenia in Palestine is complicated. Barriers as lacking awareness about mental illness, stigma, inconsistent availability of medications, absence of multidisciplinary teamwork, insufficient specialists, fragmented mental health system, occupation, and other obstacles stand in the face of improving the quality of life among these patients.Limitations: Palestine is a state that is seeking independence with a scarcity of resources. It has been described as “uncharted territories'' due to a lack of data, resources and records. As a result, there is insufficient data regarding schizophrenia in Palestine. Therefore, a thesis study that estimated Ten years’ risk of coronary heart diseases in patients with schizophrenia was included.Conclusions: Recommendations include ending the occupation as the leading cause of mental illness for Palestinians and implementing efficient and effective mental health nursing care through the multidisciplinary work and raising awareness regarding mental illness to fight the stigma.


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