Janna C. Heyman

How Much Does the Distance in Distance Education Matter? Our Students Speak

Distance learning programs in social work education have been growing exponentially throughout the United States. This study interviewed Master of Social Work (MSW) students enrolled in two synchronous distance-learning courses that employed a blended pedagogy, and evaluates their insights about the learning experience. For these two courses, material was presented via video conferencing and supplemented with online media at two campuses at a large school of social work. In order to give students a voice about their experiences, data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Common themes included: autonomy, emotional connectedness, technological challenges, and knowledge acquisition. Both the strengths and challenges related to distance learning are discussed.

Social Workers' experiences of the World Trade Center disaster: Stressors and their relationship to symptom types

The study describes New York area social workers’ experiences of nine different stressors on 9/11. It also examines their reports of working with clients within the 6 months after 9/11. These variables are then analyzed for their relationship with symptomology 6 months after 9/11. Proximity to the WTC on 9/11, knowing someone who was a primary victim, and talking with clients about events related to 9/11 were all related to symptom levels; however, these experiences differentially impacted levels of depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Sex and race differences were found among the variables.

A Partnership Among a University, Foundation and Community Agencies for Training Gerontological Social Workers

Attention to preparing social workers for our aging society has increased with concern that there may be insufficient professionals to meet the need. Interest in training gerontologically-savvy social work students had led to the development of models to achieve this end. This article reports on a collaboration among a universitys school of social work, a foundation, and community agencies, to provide special training for students interested in aging. The model presented here offers locally-focused and smaller founders in aging an educational strategy to achieve their goals. The evaluation of the model and the findings of this evaluation are reviewed.

“They Touch Our Hearts”: The Experiences of Shared Site Intergenerational Program Participants

ABSTRACT This study examines the experiences of intergenerational program participants in a shared site intergenerational program. Four focus groups were held, one with each participant group: elders, children, caregivers (including parents of children and elder caregivers), and staff. Five major themes emerged from the groups: (a) emotions, (b) engagement challenges, (c) family environment, (d) relationships, and (e) respect/admiration. Each theme is discussed and illustrated with quotes. Implications of these findings are examined.

Event-exposure stress, coping, and psychological distress among New York students at six months after 9/11.

Abstract This study examines if event-exposure stress has a significant effect on the latent mediating factors of problem-based coping, emotion-based coping, and intrinsic religious motivation, as well as on psychological distress. The study used a single-group correlational design. Data were collected from graduate social work students (N=642) in the New York metropolitan area six months after September 11, 2001. In a structural equation model, event-exposure stress was found to be positively related to problem-focused coping. The model also supported that event-exposure stress had a positive direct effect on psychological distress. While both forms of coping were positively related to levels of distress, higher levels of intrinsic religious motivation were related to lower levels of psychological distress. Professionals should provide guidance to help individuals reduce psychological distress by building upon different coping strategies to best fit the person and the situation.

Building on Community Assets to Improve Palliative and End-of-Life Care

In this article, the authors describe the development of a multidisciplinary, interfaith, grassroots community group of professionals and laypersons who have created a replicable model to enhance palliative and end-of-life care. The Collaborative for Palliative Care leverages existing community assets and capacities within the health and social service programs of Westchester County, New York, resulting in a unique public-private partnership. It has played a critical role in changing the culture of care for residents of Westchester who are faced with the challenges of serious and terminal illness.

Aging in the Undergraduate Curriculum: Faculty Perspectives.

This descriptive study of undergraduate faculty (N = 177) ascertained the extent to which aging content is taught and faculty are interested in aging. The research was the result of a collaboration among an area agency on aging, an alliance of academic and community leaders, and a university-based research center. While approximately 43% of the respondents were interested in the field of aging, two-thirds of the 474 courses they taught seldom or never included aging content. When asked what would stimulate them to include aging content, faculty focused on resources, time, media attention, student interest, older students, and their own aging. Faculty indicated an interest in fact sheets on aging and selected readings on aging, among other resources. Implications of these findings are discussed, and strategies to increase interest among faculty in aging content are presented.

Older Adults and Creative Arts: Personal and Interpersonal Change

Creative aging programs are recognized as an effective way to enhance the lives of older adults. This study examines creative arts programs offered through public libraries. Focus groups captured participants’ experiences. Themes that emerged from analysis of the focus group data generally clustered into two areas: Personal Change and Interpersonal Change. Personal change captured five perspectives: Healing; Safe Place/Freedom; New/Renewed Self; Creative; Joy/Fun. Interpersonal change entailed two perspectives: Connections and how they are Seen Differently by Others. The positive experiences of older adults who have engaged in organized creative arts programs suggest the potential life-changing possibilities of these programs.

Transforming Palliative Care in Nursing Homes: The Social Work Role, by Mercedes Bern-Klug (Ed.)

Nursing homes are an important part of the long-term care continuum, and this book provides the reader with new approaches on transforming palliative care in this setting. Bern-Klug gives an in-depth perspective on how social workers can play a leadership role in enhancing services to residents and their families. She recognizes that social workers, through their roles as direct practitioners, supervisors, researchers, and advocates, can make a difference in the lives of nursing home residents. Building upon the eight domains of quality palliative care, this book provides the reader with a vision of how social workers can help residents “thrive” in the nursing home setting. In the first chapter, Bern-Klug discusses the various definitions of palliative care and emphasizes that palliative care can be defined as “appropriate throughout the illness trajectory” (p. 19). With this approach, palliative care is seen as an overarching term or, as Bern-Klug defines it, an umbrella. She stresses that palliative care is important throughout the nursing home resident’s stay. With insight, Bern-Klug frames the book by acknowledging the importance of understanding the nursing home structure as part of the provision of care. The second chapter, by Thompson and Church, provides a conceptual framework regarding nursing home structure, process, and outcome. The authors stress that professionals need to understand the traditional models, regulatory environment, and organizational processes to improve care and enhance residents’ well-being. In Chapter 3, Michael Berg provides an extensive review about how nursing home care is financed in the United States. He explains what nursing home costs are paid for by Medicare, private insurance, Medicaid, and outof-pocket. His detailed description of Medicare hospice benefits is a mustread for social workers beginning their careers, as well as those that are working in the field. Munn’s chapter on psychosocial, social, spiritual, and existential issues, provides a description of the social worker’s role in working with residents and their families. She highlights the importance of advocating for residents