bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANSI/IEEE 1073: Medical Information Bus (MIB)
Authors: Glass M. 
Published: April 2009

The Medical Information Bus (MIB) represents an application of networking and information technology for healthcare. The purpose of MIB is to define a standard means of connectivity between critical care bedside medical devices and hospital host computers. The devices include patient monitors, infusion pumps, ventilators, pulse oximeters and other devices used in operating rooms, intensive care units and emergency rooms. MIB addresses the unique needs of implementing data communications in the acute care environment. These challenges include: (1) the absolute need to guarantee patient, user and equipment safety; (2) the need for complete standardized plug-and-play operation with no user intervention; (3) the need to provide a framework for an expandable data language; and (4) the need to provide open system interoperability to hospital wide information systems. MIB is defined by the emerging family of ANSI/IEEE 1073 standards. The 1073 family follows the ISO OSI 7-layer model. The first two documents in this family, the 1073.3.1 Transport Profile and the 1073.4.1 Physical Layer for Cable Connected Devices define lower layer plug-and-play operation for a bedside subnetwork. They were approved as IEEE standards in December 1994; as ANSI standards in August 1995; and went out for ‘red cover’ pre-ballot procedure as CEN European standards in April 1998. The upper layer MIB standard documents utilize mOSI, a highly streamlined subset of the full OSI upper layers protocol, define optimized encoding rules, and the Medical Device Data Language (MDDL), an expandable framework based on object oriented technology. The MIB upper layer standards leverage a great deal of the work of the CEN VITAL committee in defining the information models and nomenclature for parameters, waves and alarms for specific device types. Future 1073 standards will define internetworking between local bedside data collection hubs and hospital wide networks.
Health information systems, ‘safety’ and organizational learning
Authors: Beynon-Davies P. , Lloyd-Williams M. 
Published: April 2009

Because the scope of healthcare information systems (IS) is extremely broad and because most such IS impact either directly or indirectly on the provision and safety of healthcare, the failure of healthcare IS is a topic of critical importance for information management and development professionals. Such failure is also important for the customers of the health service. In this paper we emphasize the need for organizations such as the UK National Health Service (NHS) to evaluate their projects in terms of the issue of IS failure. We present a framework for IS evaluation which may be used to enable this process of organizational learning. This leads us to develop a model of IS failure that can be used in evaluation exercises of this nature. We apply this framework to two case studies of UK healthcare IS projects that are generally deemed to have failed to illustrate the efficacy of this framework. Finally, we consider a number of reasons why the NHS may be particularly prone to the phenomenon of IS failure.
Use of a terminology server to support a concept-based approach for medical curriculum development
Authors: Giffen P. R. , Alpay L. L. 
Published: April 2009

This paper reports on the development and evaluation of a prototype application to support concept-based curriculum development. The application was implemented as a client of a terminology server. This application was developed as part of the CoMET project (Conceptual Modeling Environments for Teachers). The terminology server (TeS) used in this study was developed in the European Union project GALEN and although it has supported clinical applications, this was its first use as a source of conceptual knowledge to support curriculum development. The application was designed to allow the user to search, locate and bookmark concepts. It could also report on the relationships between two individual sets of concepts. The application was used in a preliminary study of concept based course development. In this empirical study, 16 subjects worked in pairs to produce and compare a list of concepts from two related areas of medical curriculum. Most subjects concluded that the application was relatively easy to use and gave useful information. They also made several suggestions about improvements to the tools and the value of the concept based approach for team based curriculum development. The requirements for the next generation of tools are discussed.
New challenges for clinical informatics: knowledge management tools
Authors: Heathfield H. , Louw G. 
Published: April 2009

It is widely recognized that medicine has reached a crisis point. Doctors can no longer memorize or effectively apply the vast amounts of scientific knowledge that are relevant to their clinical practice. Estimates suggest that human knowledge doubles every 33 years [1], while the expansion of medical knowledge is currently estimated at doubling about every 19 years. In contrast, our intellectual capacity has remained practically static over the last thousand or so years [2]. Many have looked to Information Technology (IT) to solve the problem of information overload in medicine. Simply converting existing information resources into an electronic form, however, and distributing or making them accessible to users, is far from adequate and can often exacerbate the problem of information overload. Efficient organization and distribution of knowledge is one of medicine’s biggest challenges, and there is much talk about the new paradigm of ‘knowledge management tools’ which will transform the way medicine is practised.
Which Blair Project?
Authors: Butler Ian , Drakeford Mark 
Published: April 2009

Summary: This article provides an analysis of the current ideological and political context through which the nature and identity of social work are being constructed. The analysis briefly traces the development of social policy during the Conservative administrations in the UK between 1979 and 1997: and then a more detailed analysis is undertaken of the period since 1997 under the New Labour government of Tony Blair. Findings: Social work has, under the New Labour government (1997-), become part of an incorporative agenda whereby the function of social work is predominantly to ensure that difficult and troublesome individuals are made to accept prevailing social norms, rather than inclusive in a way that permits a radical practice to better serve the recipients of social work services. Applications: This article suggests a series of principles based upon the promotion of an emancipatory ideal that might help shape a worthwhile and productive future for social work.
Issues in International Social Work
Authors: Midgley James 
Published: April 2009

Summary: A review of the theoretical construction of international social work. Findings: Although social workers are now more frequently engaged in international activities than ever before, they remain divided on a number of critical issues. These include the definition of international social work; the nature and impact of globalization on social work; the proper role of remedial, activist and developmental practice; and finally the place of values, cultural diversity and internationalism as an ideological position. These issues are discussed and clarified, and an attempt is made to formulate proposals that can accommodate and resolve differences. Applications: The applications of this article concern the theoretical construction of social work, in particular, the development of transnational social work; the construction of curricula for social work education and a reconceptualization of the importance of globalization and regionalism for social work practice.
‘I Shout with Fear at Night’
Authors: Weaver Hilary N. , Burns Barbara J. 
Published: April 2009

Summary: In recent years, the plight of refugees and asylum seekers has garnered significant public attention. Yet many social workers find they have made limited preparations for meeting the needs of refugee clients. This article presents the results of a study conducted at the largest refugee shelter in the US. Fifty-eight adult asylum seekers staying at the shelter were interviewed about their experiences, including trauma and subsequent physical and emotional symptoms. Findings: Most respondents experienced trauma in their home country. Additionally, nightmares were often reported as psychological sequelae attributed to these traumatic events. Applications: Helping professionals can learn from this information and become sensitized to some of the struggles of this population. Understanding that some refugee clients ‘shout with fear at night’ can help us to appreciate the lasting impact trauma can have and can guide our work with this vulnerable yet resilient population. Helping professionals are challenged to become better versed in the at-risk position of asylum seekers and engage in advocacy to encourage greater protection of this population
A Conceptual Framework for Social Work Practice with Black Children and Adolescents in the United Kingdom
Authors: Robinson Lena 
Published: April 2009

Summary: In this article, the first steps towards the development of a conceptual framework for social work practice with black children and adolescents in the UK are proposed. Social work in the UK and USA has turned to the social sciences, particularly psychology, for accounts of child development which can be applied in practice. In support of the development of a conceptual framework, this article argues that traditional Euro-American developmental psychology assumes cultural universality, which has often resulted in the use of Euro-American developmental norms as the standard of measurement for black child development. There is a need for a conceptual framework that incorporates cross-cultural and black perspectives for social work practice with black children and adolescents in the UK. Specifically, the concepts of individualism-collectivism and racial identity development are discussed. Findings: An understanding of cross-cultural and black perspectives will enable social workers to come up with more accurate and comprehensive explanations of black child development. Applications: This article aims to contribute to the development of antiracist and culturally-sensitive social work practice with black children and adolescents. If social workers are to work effectively with black children, much more must be written, researched and published on black child development.
Service Users’ Knowledges and the Social Construction of Social Work
Authors: Beresford Peter , Croft Suzy 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: This article considers the implications for social work and social care education, policy and practice of including the viewpoints and knowledges of service users. The development of policy and practice for user involvement is critically discussed and the role of service users and their organizations in the construction of social work explored. • Findings: Disabled people’s and service users’ organizations have developed their own knowledges, theories and models, based on their first-hand experience. This paper examines the implications of such users’ knowledge for social work and social care theory, policy and practice. It draws on discussions and developments in the disabled people’s and other movements whose members are the subjects of social work theory and practice. It is informed by the authors’ work and experience as service users, educators and practising social workers, as well as writers, activists and researchers in this field. • Applications: The article examines the progress that has been made in involving service users in social work education, theory building, research, practice development and standard setting. It explores some of the practical and philosophical issues involved in developing a more inclusive and socially constructed social work and suggests that this may offer a route to restoring social work to its core values.
Ready for Practice? The DipSW in Wales
Authors: Pithouse Andrew , Scourfield Jonathan 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: This paper sets out key findings from a postal survey of 115 recently qualified social workers who completed the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) in Wales in 1998 and 1999, together with a telephone survey of a sub-group of 50 of these DipSW leavers, 25 of their workplace supervisors and 25 of their employers. The aim of the study was to explore how adequately the DipSW in Wales prepared trainees for practice, with particular reference to core competences, values, and other identified professional skill areas. The study was funded by CCETSW/TOPSS Cymru. • Findings: The paper reveals that a firm majority of all participants in the study both considered the core competences and values contained within the DipSW to be relevant to current practice and believed that newly qualified staff were at least adequately trained in these areas. In respect of adequacy of training in other key skill areas, responses differed in relation to participant background in the statutory or voluntary sector and by major specialism in child or adult care. It will be seen that in some skill areas training is seen by almost a half of participants as less than adequate or poor. Overall, the findings suggest a positive view of the DipSW in Wales as at least adequate in preparing trainees for practice. However, some concern over training seems justified in relation to a small number of important skill areas. • Applications: The research can potentially inform DipSW programmes over aspects of curriculum development in anticipation of changes to qualifying training.
New Perspectives on Violence in Social Care
Authors: Brockmann Michaela 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: Increasing concern in the UK about rising levels of violence in the health and social care sectors has led to new government initiatives, such as the zero-tolerance campaign in the NHS and the National Task Force on Violence against Social Care Staff. This article provides an overview of the research and guidance literature in social care and summarizes the main findings. • Findings: Research evidence in this field is scarce and contradictory, and contrasts with the apparent certainty underpinning national initiatives. Major issues are examined in the light of both theoretical perspectives on violence and recent changes in the organization of social care. • Applications: It is argued that violence is common, and that an understanding of the multiple causes of violence in any given social context is vital in strategies for its prevention and management. Attention is drawn to the crucial role of quality services in addressing violence.
Evidence-based Practice and Decision Analysis in Social Work
Authors: Webb Stephen 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: This article on evidence-based practice and decision analysis develops an implementation model for social work. Thus far no detailed attempt has been made to formulate a systematic implementation framework for evidence-based practice in social work. • Findings: The social and cultural, the professional and practice-based, and the educational and training contexts are highlighted. The emergence of evidence-based practice is placed within the context of risk society and the development of new expert systems that contribute to a radical re-shaping of social work practice. In the inevitable shift towards an actuarial practice, direct and therapeutic involvement with service users becomes less significant for social work. Following the work of Trinder (2000) two key approaches to evidence-based practice are discussed: the experimental and pragmatic perspectives. • Application: By drawing on the latter, a systems approach is developed via nine key related structures which constitute an implementation framework for evidence-based practice.
Gender, Parenting and Managerial Ambition in Social Work
Authors: Harlow Elizabeth 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: This paper presents original research data on the topic of gender and managerial careers in social services. Case study research has been carried out in one English Social Services Department (SSD) and the data has been analysed from a post-structuralist perspective. • Findings: The project concludes that caring responsibilities in the domestic domain impede the likelihood of women progressing to senior management. This is because the dominant construction of management is more compatible with fatherhood than motherhood. Child care arrangements are negotiated within both the domestic domain and the workplace. Not only are power relations involved, but also the positions taken on parenting and child care contribute to the construction of gendered subjectivity. Managerial ambition cannot be understood outside this complex interplay of identification, desire, anxiety and cultural constraint. • Application: Whilst policy initiatives and wider developments in gender relations are applauded, the deep-seated resistance to change is also acknowledged. Changing the managerial environment is not only a simple matter of employers and policy makers developing new employment structures that more effectively enable the combination of caring and managerial responsibilities.
The Practice-Research Relationship
Authors: Randall John 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: Evidence-based practice is a familiar, if contested, theme in contemporary health and social care. If it is to be more than a passing fashion, there need to be much stronger and more credible partnerships between practitioners and researchers. This article identifies key lessons derived from a small local experiment (DATAR) in the UK which sought to build a bridge between a locality in a large rural social services department and a child care research unit. • Findings: If knowledge is seen essentially as ‘one-way traffic’, from research to practice, then evidence-based practice is likely to be a project destined for disillusionment. • Applications: For evidence-based practice to succeed and benefit the children and families that each partner seeks to serve, it needs sustained commitment, authentic collaboration and a shared belief in each other’s contribution to the development of knowledge that works. Rather than indulge in rather futile contests between art and science or between process and product, we need to increase our capacity to embrace different sorts of knowledge
Human Service Nonprofit Agencies
Authors: Birkenmaier Julie , Rubio Doris Mcgartland , Berg-Weger Marla 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: Human service nonprofit agencies exist within a turbulent environment. Recent developments and social policy changes have impacted upon nonprofit agencies and transformed services, thereby changing the service delivery system. Services for clients have changed and agencies are challenged to meet clients’ needs with new constraints. Social workers in this environment have been faced with the challenge of developing new skills to respond to the political climate while continuing to meet clients’ needs. Moreover, social work students placed in nonprofit agencies for their field education also encounter challenges. • Findings: Through the use of focus groups, this study found social workers’ primary concerns related to managed care and welfare reform. Thus, student roles often involved functioning as staff and filling gaps within the agency, and students were challenged in their efforts to meet their learning needs. • Applications: Knowledge of agency context is essential for competent, effective social work practice. This qualitative study highlights the nature of the changing environment for nonprofit agencies, agency responses and the implications for social work practice and social work education. Agency administrators, social workers and students must continue to assess and respond to their environment as they seek to provide the most efficient and effective services to clients.
Reflecting on Habitus, Field and Capital
Authors: Houston Stan 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: This article argues that the notion of the knowledge base as a central aspect of professional activity is flawed, and that it is more useful to see social work as in a continuous process of constructing and reconstructing professional knowledge. • Findings: Culture is an area that has attracted widespread attention in academia and the social professions. However, there has been little examination of culturally sensitive social work practice from a realist perspective, or one that starts from the view that oppressive structures, as encoded within social class, are essential determinants of cultural experience. Following a critique of postmodern perspectives on culture, the work of Pierre Bourdieu on culture and power is explored. • Applications: Three of Bourdieu’s key constructs - habitus, field and capital - are utilized to develop a model for culturally sensitive social work practice that attends to the interplay of agency and structure in reproducing inequalities within the social world.
Social Work and the Just Society
Authors: Garrett Paul Michael 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: The article begins by exploring the engagement of social work in Britain with ideas bound up with the creation of what might be termed the just society. This is followed by a critical discussion of diversity, difference and division. In conclusion, how social work in Britain might become more poverty-focused is briefly explored. • Findings: In the context of globalization and ‘savage capitalism’, social work should seek to connect its analysis of oppression to mass poverty. However, current approaches, focused on notions of diversity and difference, are failing to produce a rounded analysis because the impact of poverty and material hardship is not acknowledged. • Applications: Various themes can be related to the sequestration of poverty from social work’s dominant discourses. Five ways in which social work theory and practice could become more poverty-focused are tentatively identified.
The Politics of Systems Theory within Social Work
Authors: Payne Malcolm 
Published: April 2009

• Summary: The impact and role of systems theory in social work is analysed politically. The political analysis explores the social construction of professions and their knowledge and theory bases by understanding how theory is used by and generates groups contending for influence in social work. Systems theory had a major impact on social work in the 1970s and developed in the USA in ecological theory and more broadly as a contribution to networking. • Findings: The analysis of social work writings confirms contextual explanations, that systems theory had an impact as part of wider social changes affecting social work, rather than for intrinsic reasons of theoretical or intellectual development. In the USA, this led to its use as continuity with traditional theoretical concepts; in the UK, as a response to organizational change. Ecological theory continued as a major influence in the USA because it maintained that continuity; systems theory declined in the UK because further organizational changes supplanted it. Networking developed separately, drawing in other theoretical traditions, supplanting systems ideas. Family therapy used similar ideas at the outset, but developed different theoretical traditions. • Applications: The example of systems theory shows how different theoretical traditions and social contexts for the use of knowledge in professions affect theoretical and professional development.