Professional stances and personal values in the realm of transnational family reunification with older parents: social work practice in an emerging field

National rules for family reunification take place in an increasingly transnational context. Social workers in Switzerland, whether they work in services for migrants or for elders, are confronted with requests for transnational family reunification with older parents. Such requests, while relatively rare, elicit responses which must be viewed as largely founded on professionals' values and norms regarding the care of elders, family cohabitation, the influence of cultural factors, and examined against a backdrop of increasing suspicion of motives for migration—especially in fields where migration issues have not been at the forefront of professional debate and practice. The militant stance of some services for migrants can thus be contrasted with the relative inexperience of professionals active in social services for elders, who rarely encounter recent migrants. The latter are more likely to reflect their own private—and unexamined—views when advising clients in a field characterised by complexity and instability. The authors interviewed social workers and families in two Swiss cantons. Their results point to ways in which distinct professional cultures could enrich each other and provide social workers with tools to critically analyse their own practice in a very difficult field, the contours of which remain largely unexplored.     

职业社会工作者的专业标准与考核评价体系研究

我国社会工作职业化进程方兴未艾。实际社会工作从业人员如何转变为专业社工,高校的社会工作专业教育和社会培训机构如何把握专业社会工作者的标准,解决这两大问题的关键在于,尽快制定和建立职业社会工作者的专业标准和考核评价体系。作为整个社会工作者职业制度体系的核心机制,职业社会工作者的专业标准和考核评价体系,为职业社会工作者提供了从业标准和实践规范,从而为打造一支高水平、强素质的社会工作人才队伍提供了科学的制度保障。     

上海青少年社会工作者专业能力建设的行动研究

本文是上海X区青少年社会工作站的社会工作者专业能力建设的行动研究的初步成果。全文从研究背景、研究方法、研究历程、初步成效、反思等方面对行动研究项目作了介绍。在总结了社会工作者专业能力建设的行动研究四阶段特征的基础上,本文提出社会工作者专业能力的建设必须与社会工作知识观、社会工作服务内容与形式的创新,以及社会工作专业管理机制的不断改善直接相关。     

Some indications for professional development in social work: a study of theoretical interest and attitudes towards research among Icelandic social workers

This study among Icelandic social workers generally showed positive attitudes towards research activity in the field. Most respondents, whereof half were practice teachers, saw the practicum as an important tool for the integration of theoretical application and research activity to practice. Almost all saw research activity as a feasible way to empower social work as a profession. Simultaneously, a relatively small percentage report their own research activity. Besides this discrepancy some interesting differences were found according to number of years after graduation, field employment and experience as practice teachers. It is argued that the theme in focus is a critical indication of professional development and highly relevant for the educational discourse as for future professional development.     

Analysis of perception of training in graduates of the Faculty of Medicine at Universidad de Castilla-Mancha

IntroductionProblem-based learning has been a key component of the teaching method employed at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Castilla La Mancha (UCLM) in Albacete, Spain since its creation. The aim of this study was to evaluate perceptions of training among residents who graduated from the first three years of the UCLM Degree in Medicine.MethodsUsing the Jefferson Medical College postgraduate rating form, residents rated their performance in four areas of clinical competency (medical knowledge, data gathering skills, clinical judgment, and professional attitudes) at the beginning of residency training in comparison with colleagues from other faculties. The construct validity of responses was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and exploratory factor analysis.ResultsOver half the respondents (57.8%) considered that they had received better training than peers from other medical schools, and 98.5% felt that their general performance in the four competencies analyzed was similar or superior to that of their colleagues. Factor analysis revealed two major factors: “the physician as scientist” and “the physician as manager and communicator”.ConclusionsOur study shows that graduates from the UCLM Faculty of Medicine perceive their training, which is largely based on problem-based learning, as satisfactory.     

Preparing social workers as reporters of suspected child maltreatment

Social workers are an important source of reports to child protective services in the United States (US). However, it is unclear what role social work education plays in preparing social workers for this responsibility. The current study explores how undergraduate and graduate social work programs in the US prepare students as reporters. This study found that while almost all programs that participated in this study provide students with some content related to their role as reporters of child maltreatment, there are varying ways such content is provided, and many avenues for improvement. International implications are highlighted.     

美国教师专业发展学校对我国教育发展的经验与启示

产生于20世纪80年代末期的美国教师专业发展学校(Professional Development School,简称PDS)是由大学与中小学合作,以中小学为基地,融职前教师培养、在职教师培训和学校改革为一体的教师教育新模式,强调学校是教师专业发展的场所,关注大学与中小学的有效合作。本文主要新解美国教师专业发展学校(PDS)的成功经验并反思其教育性启示。     

Drivers of job satisfaction in midwifery—A work design approach

BackgroundIdentifying common factors that influence job satisfaction for midwives working in diverse work settings is challenging. Applying a work design model developed in organisational behaviour to the midwifery context may help identify key antecedents of midwives job satisfaction.AimTo investigate three job characteristics – decision-making autonomy, empowerment, and professional recognition as antecedents of job satisfaction in New Zealand (NZ) midwives.MethodsLatent multiple regressions were performed on data from Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) midwives n = 327, employed midwives n = 255, and midwives working in ‘mixed-roles’ n = 123.FindingsWe found that professional recognition is positively linked to job satisfaction for midwives in all three work settings. At the same time, decision-making autonomy and empowerment were shown to influence job satisfaction for midwives working as LMCs only.DiscussionOur main finding suggests that the esteem generated from being acknowledged as an expert and valuable contributor by maternity health colleagues is satisfying across all work contexts. Professional recognition encompasses the social dimension of midwifery work and influences midwives job satisfaction. Decision-making autonomy and empowerment are task and relational job characteristics that may not be similarly experienced by all midwives to noticeably influence job satisfaction.ConclusionGiven that job satisfaction contributes to recruitment, retention, and sustainability, our findings show that drivers of job satisfaction differ by midwifery work context. We present evidence to support tailored efforts to bolster midwives job satisfaction, especially where resources are limited.     

Factors associated with midwives’ job satisfaction and experience of work: a cross-sectional survey of midwives in a tertiary maternity hospital in Melbourne,Australia

BackgroundSignificant factors affecting the Australian maternity care context include an ageing, predominantly part-time midwifery workforce, increasingly medicalised maternity care, and women with more complex health/social needs. This results in challenges for the maternity care system. There is a lack of understanding of midwives’ experiences and job satisfaction in this context.AimTo explore factors affecting Australian midwives’ job satisfaction and experience of work.MethodsIn 2017 an online cross-sectional questionnaire was used to survey midwives employed in a tertiary hospital. Data collected included characteristics, work roles, hours, midwives’ views and experiences of their job. The Midwifery Process Questionnaire was used to measure midwives’ satisfaction in four domains: Professional Satisfaction, Professional Support, Client Interaction and Professional Development. Data were analysed as a whole, then univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses conducted to explore any associations between each domain, participant characteristics and other relevant factors.FindingsThe overall survey response rate was 73% (302/411), with 96% (255/266) of permanently employed midwives responding. About half (53%) had a negative attitude about their Professional Support and Client Interaction (49%), and 21% felt negatively about Professional Development. The majority felt positively regarding Professional Satisfaction (85%). The main factors that impacted midwives’ satisfaction was inadequate acknowledgment from the organisation and needing more support to fulfil their current role.ConclusionFocus on leadership and mentorship around appropriate acknowledgement and support may impact positively on midwives’ satisfaction and experiences of work. A larger study could explore how widespread these findings are in the Australian maternity care setting.     

谈教育职业的专业化与专家型教师

教育职业的专业化,成为当今世界教育发展的大趋势,中国的教育也不能例外。教育质量要进一步提高,创新教学要开展,都呼唤大批专家型教师的涌现。要成为专家型教师,教师个体必须自觉强化专业角色,提高自我诊断能力,健全专业情意。