The Haemophilia Society

Abstract

A popular feminist principle in community work emphasises egalitarian relations between women. The ‘false equality trap’ of sisterhood has been highlighted recently through demonstrating women's different experiences of gender oppression. However, in making experiential diversity the starting point for practice it is possible to overlook power relations. A gendered relations perspective keeps the relations between men and women to the fore, while not precluding relative power differences between women. This perspective ensures that political institutions and practices become targets for change. In contrast, experiential diversity necessitates individual empowerment work and collective action based on local and unique circumstances. This perspective may encourage strategies which are inward-looking and which sidestep mainstream political institutions. Feminist community work needs to be judged according to its contribution to constraining the reproduction of patriarchal power relations. Feminist-inspired community development must operate in tandem with social action, policy reform, prefigurative strategies and above all, political reform.     

Medical Specialty Referrals from a Student Health Service

Abstract

During a 10-week period, 51 referrals resulted from 3171 visits to the Student Health Service, a referral rate of 1.6%. Specialties receiving the most frequent referrals were orthopedics (31%), ophthalmology (16%), general surgery (10%), and gynecology (10%). Data from this study suggest that specialty referrals occur infrequently in the Student Health Service. It would appear that this low referral rate, along with a relatively small student population, would not justify provision of in-house specialty consultation in the Student Health Service.

“The Prognosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” DAVID J. SALES AND JOSEPH B. KIRSNER. The complications of ulcerative colitis generally develop during the first two years of disease. The mortality is higher than expected and the highest likelihood of colectomy also occurs early in the disease. Mortality in Crohn's disease is greater than expected, especially in males. For both conditions, the overall mortality has decreased steadily, and currently is less than 5%. Ulcerative colitis is curable with proctocolectomy and lieostomy. In Crohn's disease, intestinal resection and reanastomosis is followed by recurrence in the majority of patients. The recurrence rate after proctocolectomy and lieostomy for Crohn's disease of the colon also is considerable, ranging from 20% to 35%. In ulcerative colitis, the more colon involved, the more frequent and more serious are the complications. In Crohn's disease, the anatomic pattern of disease tends to predict the type and extent of complications. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease appear to follow a more severe course in children and adolescents with “inflammatory bowel disease.” Patients with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease are at increased risk for the later development of cancer. In ulcerative colitis, the excess risk is limited to colorectal cancer. Patients with Crohn's disease have increased cancer rates for both the small and large bowel. Finally, most patients with these diseases are able to maintain normal occupations and enjoy reasonably stable social and economic situations. The successful adaptation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is influenced by a hopeful, optimistic personality and by an encouraging, supportive physician.     

Public Opinion on Mandatory Reporting of Abuse and/or Neglect of Older Adults in Manitoba,Canada

This article discusses the results of a survey administered as part of a study titled, “Legislation and Service Provision Regarding Abuse and/or Neglect of Older Adults in Manitoba.” Public views of mandatory reporting and knowledge of legislation were investigated in the case where an older adult is living at risk of abuse and/or neglect in Manitoba, Canada. The survey data demonstrate that older respondents stated that mandatory reporting was not always preferable, except when an older adult was clearly diagnosed as incompetent and, even with no evidence, thought to be at risk. With less awareness of the topic in general, and with less contact with older adults, younger adults had much stronger views in support of mandatory reporting in all cases. Little knowledge and awareness of legislation existed in all age groups, although older adults knew more about such abuse and/or neglect than younger adults. Given the projected increase of older adults in Canada in the next 20 years, it is critical that the prevention of abuse and/or neglect and protection of older adults be addressed.     

Ethnic activism and multicultural politics in immigrant settlement in Toronto,Canada

Immigrant activists work within but challenge the discursive limits in the settlement sector in Toronto, Canada. The establishment and institutionalization of settlement service results from community based ethnic activists working with changing multicultural circumstances and state policies that regulate immigrants. Consequently, immigrants have been able to obtain resources from the state but must work within ethnicized politics where ethno-specificity, cultural sensitivity and the language of service delivery to ‘visible minority’ immigrants are important modes of dealing with differences, racial or otherwise. Manager-activists respond to the changing discourse of ethno-specificity as the sector was ‘restructured’; they also have to meet the discursive imperatives of the flexible and transcendental immigrant. This paper draws from information gathered as a researcher and as a worker in this sector, from community reports and documents, and from interviews with managers of settlement organizations who also see themselves as activists.     

Workplace Characteristics and Work-to-Family Conflict: Does Caregiving Frequency Matter?

Many workers can expect to provide care to an elder relative at some point during their tenure in the workforce. This study extends previous research by exploring whether caregiving frequency (providing care on a regular, weekly basis vs. intermittently) moderates the relationship between certain workplace characteristics and work-to-family conflict. Utilizing a sample of 465 respondents from the National Study of the Changing Workforce (Families and Work Institute, 2008 Families and Work Institute. (2008). National Study of the Changing Workforce [data file and code book]. https://store.familiesandwork.org (http://https://store.familiesandwork.org)  [Google Scholar]), results indicate that access to workplace flexibility has a stronger effect on reducing work-to-family conflict among intermittent caregivers than among those who provide care regularly.     

Personal Mastery and Psychological Well-Being Among Young Grandmothers

This study examined the association between relationship quality, personal mastery, and psychological well-being among 83 young Black and White American grandmothers in families with teenage mothers. Interviews were conducted during the early stages of adaptation to grandparenthood due to the birth of a baby to a teenage daughter. Findings indicated that the effects of the mother–daughter relationship are mediated through mastery. When grandmothers feel a sense of mastery, the conflict with the teenage mother is not as detrimental to their psychological health. Findings are discussed in the context of developing supportive services for grandmothers in families with teenage mothers.     

Antenatal group care in a Midwifery Group Practice—A midwife’ perspective

The following article describes a midwife's experience in the adaption of the CenteringPregnancy model into her own group practice to provide education and support to the women in her care. Using personal experience and feedback from women and midwifery students the author describes not only the process of group care in her work context but the apparent benefits to women, families’, midwifery students and herself. Antenatal group care was so successful for the author that it extended to postnatal group care and student group care, all well attended and sought after groups. This is an exciting and innovative way to provide care for women and families and the author encourages other midwives and group practices to consider how they can adapt and progress similar group care into their own practice.