scholarly journals Exploring longitudinal care histories for looked after children: a sequence analysis of administrative social care data

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise McGrath-Lone ◽  
Katie Harron ◽  
Lorraine Dearden ◽  
Ruth Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Children In Care ◽  
Care History

BackgroundOutcomes for children in care vary by the stability of their placements (for example, more placement changes have been associated with poorer educational attainment). Official statistics describing the stability of care histories for children in England are limited to placement changes within a 12-month period. These annual statistical ‘snapshots’ cannot capture the complexity of children’s experiences; however, as administrative data have been routinely collected since 1992, it is possible to reconstruct longitudinal care histories. ObjectiveTo identify distinct patterns of care history by applying sequence analysis methods to longitudinal, administrative data. MethodsWe extracted care histories from birth to age 18 for a large, representative sample of children born 1992-94 (N=16,000) from routinely-collected Children Looked After Return data. We explored the heterogeneity of  children’s care histories in terms of stability and identified sub-groups based on the number, duration and timing of placements using sequence analysis methods. ResultsChildren’s care histories were varied with the number of placements ranging from 1 to 184 (median: 2). However, six distinct sub-groups of care history were evident including; adolescent entries (17.6%), long-term instability (13.1%) and early intervention (6.9%). Overall, most children (58.4%) had a care history that could be classified as’short-term care’ with an average of 276 days in care and 2.48 placements throughout childhood. Few children (4.0%) had a care history that could be described as ‘long-term stable care’. ConclusionsSequence analyses of longitudinal data can refine our understanding of how out-of-home care is used as a social care intervention. Despite the policy focus on achieving long-term stability for children in care, the vast majority of children remain in care for a short period of time. Future work exploring how outcomes vary between the different sub-groups of care history could enable better evaluation of the effects of longitudinal care experiences.

scholarly journals An unusually low density ultra-short period super-Earth and three mini-Neptunes around the old star TOI-561

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Lacedelli ◽  
L Malavolta ◽  
L Borsato ◽  
G Piotto ◽  
D Nardiello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transit Time ◽  
Time Variation ◽  
Planetary System ◽  
Radial Velocities ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Outer Planets ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Stability

Abstract Based on HARPS-N radial velocities (RVs) and TESS photometry, we present a full characterisation of the planetary system orbiting the late G dwarf After the identification of three transiting candidates by TESS, we discovered two additional external planets from RV analysis. RVs cannot confirm the outer TESS transiting candidate, which would also make the system dynamically unstable. We demonstrate that the two transits initially associated with this candidate are instead due to single transits of the two planets discovered using RVs. The four planets orbiting TOI-561 include an ultra-short period (USP) super-Earth (TOI-561 b) with period Pb = 0.45 d, mass Mb = 1.59 ± 0.36 M⊕ and radius Rb = 1.42 ± 0.07 R⊕, and three mini-Neptunes: TOI-561 c, with Pc = 10.78 d, Mc = 5.40 ± 0.98 M⊕, Rc = 2.88 ± 0.09 R⊕; TOI-561 d, with Pd = 25.6 d, Md = 11.9 ± 1.3 M⊕, Rd = 2.53 ± 0.13 R⊕; and TOI-561 e, with Pe = 77.2 d, Me = 16.0 ± 2.3 M⊕, Re = 2.67 ± 0.11 R⊕. Having a density of 3.0 ± 0.8 g cm−3, TOI-561 b is the lowest density USP planet known to date. Our N-body simulations confirm the stability of the system and predict a strong, anti-correlated, long-term transit time variation signal between planets d and e. The unusual density of the inner super-Earth and the dynamical interactions between the outer planets make TOI-561 an interesting follow-up target.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Tuscany (Central Italy): A Study Based on Validated Administrative Data

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiana Bezzini ◽  
Laura Policardo ◽  
Giuseppe Meucci ◽  
Monica Ulivelli ◽  
Sabina Bartalini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Hospital Discharge Records ◽  
Test Algorithm

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) epidemiology in Italy is mainly based on population-based prevalence studies. Administrative data are an additional source of information, when available, in prevalence studies of chronic diseases such as MS. The aim of our study is to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as at 2011 using a validated case-finding algorithm based on administrative data. Methods: The prevalence was calculated using an algorithm based on the following administrative data: hospital discharge records, drug-dispensing records, disease-specific exemptions from copayment to health care, home and residential long-term care and inhabitant registry. To test algorithm sensitivity, we used a true-positive reference cohort of MS patients from the Tuscan MS register. To test algorithm specificity, we used another cohort of individuals who were presumably not affected by MS. Results: As at December 31, 2011, we identified 6,890 cases (4,738 females and 2,152 males) with a prevalence of 187.9 per 100,000. The sensitivity of algorithm was 98% and the specificity was 99.99%. Conclusions: We found a prevalence higher than the rates present in literature. Our algorithm, based on administrative data, can accurately identify MS patients; moreover, the resulting cohort is suitable to monitor disease care pathways.

Social care

2020 ◽  
pp. 361-370
Author(s):  
Jo Moriarty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Broad Term ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
And Control

Social care is the broad term for the support provided to people living at home and in care homes. Major changes have taken place to this sector in the past few years and this chapter describes the key policy developments that have impacted upon the kind of support provided to older people with mental health problems and how that support is funded. The policy of personalization is intended to increase choice and control, but as yet it is unclear whether this will lead to improved outcomes in terms of quality of life or independence. Some long-standing issues, such as the high prevalence of people with unidentified mental health problems in long-term care, continue to provide challenges for organizations providing social care support.

scholarly journals Participatory approach in developing the long-term care strategy in Slovakia

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Katreniakova ◽  
M Levyova ◽  
M Giertl ◽  
I Nagyova
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Participatory Approach ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Care Systems

Abstract Issue/problem In Slovak Republic (SR) old-age dependency will rise rapidly in the near future and will more than double in the next 15 years. This profound demographic changes will require restructuring of health and social care systems with more people working in the long-term care (LTC) sector and most likely a higher level of public spending to cover the growing LTC needs. Description of the problem Providing LTC in Slovakia has many problem areas. It is governed by several acts and regulations, which are not always linked and sometimes do not cover the situation entirely. There is not coordinated and integrated LTC model implemented and the distribution of the roles between the health and social care systems is lacking. Results Since 2017 a policy dialog between the key stakeholders - the Ministry of Health of the SR; the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the SR; and civic societies led by the Association for the Patients’ Rights Protection has been in place with aim to improve the current LTC Strategy Proposal. Online survey was carried out in May - June 2018, which brought deeper insights into the needs regarding demand and supply, and uncovered the main limitations of the current LTC system, e.g. insufficient capacity of LTC beds or a malfunctioning information system. This was followed by six workshops for professional and lay public, organised between February and March 2019 with aim to collect further evidence on regional level. Lessons The LTC Strategy Proposal development is one of 12 pilot projects within the national project - Promoting partnership and dialogue on participatory public policy making in SR. The initiative takes into account the needs and demands of LTC target groups and will serve as a starting point for further action in this area. [Grant Support: APVV-15-0719]. Key messages In Slovakia, a complex solution of long-term care issues is essential. Developing the LTC Strategy Proposal through participatory approach is an important starting point for future action.

scholarly journals Why the Discretion Mix Matters: Understanding the Transformation of Long-term Care Services

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 004695801987182
Author(s):  
Young Jun Choi ◽  
Hyejin Choi
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Care Provision ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Care Services

This study aims to extend the concept of discretion, ie, a certain degree of freedom in crucial decisions left to specific actors, to understand and examine the transformation of social care services in the era of aging and austerity. Although previous studies have reviewed and analyzed changes in care provision, they have been less concerned with who has the authority to make care decisions in the implementation process. We propose a new theoretical concept, the discretion mix, to understand the realignment of social care services beyond simply tracking institutional changes. Using a case study approach, this research investigates how the discretion mix of the Korean long-term care system has changed and the consequences of these changes; in addition, it discusses why the discretion mix can be a useful concept for analyzing the changing landscape of social care services.

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