The role of social workers in addressing nonmedical needs in primary health care

Nonmedical needs are intricately linked to health. Unaddressed nonmedical needs often result in poorer health and increased healthcare costs. Although social workers are well positioned to address nonmedical needs, their role in healthcare environments to address nonmedical needs is limited. The limited role relates to a lack of reimbursement streams, which stems from poor articulation about their unique contributions. An analysis of a case study in which a social worker using AIMS, a protocolized care coordination model, was undertaken to highlight specific activities performed by social workers. Implications for patient health outcomes and healthcare costs are discussed.     

基于Andersen行为模型的消化道肿瘤患者支持性照顾需求现状及影响因素分析

目的调查消化道肿瘤患者的支持性照顾需求现状并分析其影响因素。方法于2019年1—10月间,采用便利抽样的方法,抽取重庆市三峡中心医院内消化道肿瘤患者共370例,采用一般资料调查表、癌症病人支持性照顾需求简明问卷(SCNS-SF34)、医院焦虑和抑郁量表(HADS)、社会网络支持量表(LSNS)进行问卷调查。以Andersen行为模型为基础,将调查内容中关于消化道肿瘤患者支持性照顾需求的影响因素分别纳入倾向性因素、使能因素和需求性因素中,构建4个线性回归模型进行分析,并检验各模型的拟合优度,采用多元线性回归分析消化道肿瘤患者支持性照顾需求的影响因素。结果共发放问卷370份,回收有效问卷365份,有效回收率为98.6%。365例消化道肿瘤患者支持性照顾需求总均分为(3.42±0.54)分,其中生理与日常生活需求>健康信息需求>照顾与支持需求>心理需求>性需求。多元线性回归分析结果显示:倾向性因素中年龄、婚姻状况,使能因素中的家庭平均月收入、疾病负担能力、社会网络支持,需求性因素中的病程、疾病分期、疼痛情况、焦虑程度、抑郁程度是消化道肿瘤患者支持性照顾需求的主要影响因素(P<0.05)。结论消化道肿瘤患者有较高的支持性照顾需求,其需求受多种因素的影响,建议临床医护人员针对不同需求患者进行针对性满足,并对不同影响因素进行综合考量并加以分类分析。     

Oral health status of individuals with cerebral palsy at a nationally recognized rehabilitation center

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a set of nonprogressive neuromuscular disorders caused by defects in the developing fetal brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and distribution of various dental conditions including dental caries and periodontitis among individuals with CP who receive care at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center dental clinic. Medical records of 478 patients between the ages of 3 and 78 years were reviewed. Patients were divided into four age groups: 3–20, 21–35, 36–55, and 56 and above year old. Data related to their dental conditions including caries, periodontitis, and other oral diseases were assessed. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the correlations between these oral diseases and age, gender, ethnicity as well as their living conditions (home or group home). The 36–55‐year‐old age group displayed significantly more caries and periodontitis than any other age groups. Individuals aged 3–20 years showed a significantly lower rate of periodontitis and caries. There was no significant association between gender and race with these outcome variables but there was a correlation between these variables and living conditions. Differences in oral health exist among people with CP from different age groups and living conditions. These findings suggest that there is a dire need for more oral hygiene training and education for the care givers. Dental schools should better prepare their graduates to meet the treatment demands of individuals with special healthcare needs.