Understanding Work-Related Stress and Practice of Professional Self-Care – An Innovative Pedagogical Approach

Social workers experience tremendous work-related stress - particularly among those providing direct services in healthcare settings. A review of related literature summarized several critical challenges faced by social workers who work with highly difficult clients in these settings, including (a) clients who engage in manipulative high-risk behaviors; (b) clients with serious illness who have multiple relapses; (c) clients who attempt or commit suicide; and (d) those who perpetrate violent or aggressive acts against themselves or others. This paper described and evaluated three sets of experiential learning activities with graduate level social work students, designed to increase their self-awareness and understanding of work-related stress, establish professional boundaries with difficult clients, and practice professional self-care. Major themes covered in these activities include: (a) increasing self-awareness and therapeutic competence; (b) becoming emotionally present and accepting limits; and (c) assessing traumatic stress and self-care. Selected journals from 26 students who took a clinical social work practice in health care elective course and the instructor’s blogs were content analyzed. An evaluation survey was administered with 43 students to gather their overall feedback about the course activities. Results indicated that students felt that course activities increased the amount and quality of interaction they had with other students and the instructor. Many students showed an increase of self-awareness and their own abilities in managing work-related stress. Overall, the findings support the use of experiential learning activities and self- reflective journals, as an innovative pedagogical approach, to enhance students’ self-awareness and abilities to manage work-related stress

Advancing Social Work Practice Research Education – An Innovative, Experiential Pedagogical Approach

Achieving practice research competency is an essential pillar of social work practice. However, research material is often associated with dry lectures and incomprehensible statistical applications that may not reflect real life issues. Teaching research course is often antithetical to the pedagogical approach commonly used in social work education, which engages students in practical applications of real life situations with case examples. This paper described and evaluated six sets of experiential class and field activities designed to increase graduate level social work students’ competencies of practice research. These activities included: (1) formulating a practice-based research topic; (2) using assessment templates for critical evaluation of published research; (3) learning single-system research design; (4) conducting agency research and evaluation field assessment; (5) designing and executing a practice-focused class study project; and (6) presentation and dissemination of research findings. An online course evaluation was administered with altogether 63 students in 2 Foundation Research and 2 Advanced Research classes to elicit both their qualitative feedback and quantitative ratings of their attainment of research competencies. The instructor’s assessment of individual student performance using a grading rubric helped determine their level of attainment of course competences. Findings suggest several critical elements of this pedagogical approach. Students learn about real-world research issues through a case-based learning approach. Both students and the instructor involve in a collaborative learning process. Finally the instructor selects context-specific cases for class discussion and activities so that students see the connection of social work research to day-to-day practice contexts

Cancer Beliefs and Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Low Income Chinese Immigrants – Implications for Culturally Relevant Interventions

Objective: To effectively plan and provide culturally appropriate cancer education and screening services for low income Chinese immigrants, accurate disaggregated data are very much needed in understanding their cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices toward cancer screening and education. This study explored the views of medically underserved Chinese immigrants in the United States and assessed their beliefs and attitudes toward the cause and prevention of breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, and their cancers screening behaviors. Methods: Guided by both the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue and the Health Belief Model, an exploratory research methodology was used. Narrative data from in-depth interviews and focus groups were studied qualitatively. The data analytical procedure was based on immersion in the narrative data, writing memos, sorting data into codes and categories, and comparing themes across interviews. Thirty-nine low-income Chinese men and women participated in 14 in-depth interviews and 4 focus groups. Results: Findings provided evidence of strong influence of Chinese culture on beliefs and attitudes toward cancer, as well as perceptions regarding the cause, risk, susceptibility to, and seriousness of cancer. Participants reported both positive and negative perception toward cancer. Common misconceptions about the causes of cancer included: excessive sexual activities, having a certain blood type, cancer being “contagious”, and women ignoring their reproductive or natural functions by using birth control or not breastfeeding. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of cultural appropriateness and relevancy in the development and implementation of cancer promotion and cancer screening interventions for the Chinese immigrant population

The Developmental Impact of Reverse-Migration Separation on Low-Income Chinese-American Children—Provider Perspectives

Family service professionals, child development providers, and school teachers who work with American-born Chinese children of reverse-migration face great challenges especially when the specific needs of these children and their immigrant families are unknown to them. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of service providers on the possible developmental impacts of reverse-migration separation on returning children of Chinese immigrant families in New York City. Focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted with 20 healthcare providers, school teachers, social workers, and child and family service practitioners. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyze and encode qualitative information and to discover patterns and themes. The analytical process consisted of data immersion, taking notes, sorting data into codes, and comparing the themes across interviews. Findings revealed specific themes that included: 1) provider’s observations of child’s attachment, health, learning, and behavioral issues; 2) provider’s views concerning parenting methods, skills, and challenges; and 3) suggestions for support and resources for Chinese immigrant families. Implications for social policy, intervention services, and future research on this needy immigrant population were discussed. Knowledge derived from this study is instrumental in raising awareness, broadening knowledge base, and increasing effectiveness among service professionals who serve this population

Estimating Wildlife Harvest Based on Reported Consumption by Inuit in the Canadian Arctic

The harvest and consumption of wildlife are integral to the livelihood, culture, and nutritional status of the Inuit of northern Canada. When wildlife populations are perceived to be vulnerable, harvest restrictions may be enacted to protect species conservation interests. Such restrictions may also have consequences for the nutrition and food security of Inuit communities. This study aims to estimate the harvest numbers of key wildlife species needed to sustain the traditional diet of Inuit. Using responses to the food frequency questionnaire that were collected from 806 men and 1275 women during the Inuit Health Study of 2007 – 08, we characterized annual country food consumption in five Inuit regions of northern Canada. Data on average edible yield of food species and Inuit population demographics were compiled and used to estimate the total number of harvested animals. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) was the species consumed with the highest prevalence (> 90%) and in greatest amounts (29.6 – 122.8 kg/person/yr), depending on sex and region. The annual consumption rate for beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) was 5.9 – 24.3 kg per person, depending on sex and region, and that for ringed seal (Pusa hispida) was 4.1 – 25.0 kg per person. To sustain this consumption rate, it is estimated that a mean total of 36 526 caribou, 898 beluga whales, and 17 465 ringed seals are required annually. These results provide a baseline for food security and resource management in the Canadian Arctic to balance Indigenous subsistence needs and wildlife conservation.La prise et la consommation de gibier font partie intégrante du mode de vie, de la culture et de l’alimentation des Inuits du Nord canadien. Lorsque certaines espèces sont perçues comme vulnérables, des restrictions peuvent être mises en vigueur quant à leur capture afin de favoriser leur protection et leur conservation. Par le fait même, ces restrictions peuvent avoir des conséquences sur l’alimentation et la sécurité alimentaire des collectivités inuites. Cette étude tente d’estimer les prises d’importantes espèces nécessaires au soutien du régime alimentaire traditionnel des Inuits. À l’aide des résultats découlant du sondage relatif à la fréquence de consommation des aliments réalisé auprès de 806 hommes et de 1 275 femmes dans le cadre de l’Étude sur la santé des Inuits en 2007 – 2008, nous avons caractérisé la consommation annuelle de nourriture de campagne dans cinq régions inuites du nord du Canada. Les données concernant le rendement comestible moyen des espèces alimentaires et les caractéristiques démographiques de la population inuite ont été compilées et utilisées pour estimer le nombre total d’animaux capturés. Le caribou (Rangifer tarandus) était l’espèce la plus souvent consommée (> 90 %) et en plus grandes quantités (de 29,6 à 122,8 kg/personne/année), en fonction du sexe de la personne et de la région. Le taux de consommation annuel du béluga (Delphinapterus leucas) était de 5,9 à 24,3 kg par personne, en fonction du sexe et de la région, tandis que celui du phoque annelé (Pusa hispida) était de 4,1 à 25,0 kg par personne. Pour soutenir ce taux de consommation, on estime qu’il faut annuellement un total moyen de 36 526 caribous, de 898 bélugas et de 17 465 phoques annelés. Ces résultats servent de point de référence à la gestion de la sécurité alimentaire et des ressources dans l’Arctique canadien afin d’équilibrer les besoins de subsistance indigènes et la conservation de la faune

Cultural Identity within the Chinese Community in Toronto Examined Through the Chinese Orchestra - A Study on the Toronto Chinese Orchestra

Ethnic Chinese comprise the second largest visible minority group in Canada, making up 21% of Canada’s visible minority population and 4% of its total population (StatsCan 2011). They consistently rank as one of the three largest groups immigrating into Canada. According to the national household survey taken in 2011, over 70% of all Chinese Canadians live in two cities (40.1% in Toronto and 31.1% in Vancouver) (Ibid. 16). Despite their large population and a field of literature on the topic of Chinese Canadians, there is surprisingly little written on their musical activity. Similarly, research on Chinese diasporic music is also limited despite the prevalence of studies on the Chinese diaspora and Chinese music individually. This major research paper will look at the cultural identities in the Chinese community in Toronto through the development of its Chinese orchestral activities. The paper will examine specifically the identity of the Toronto Chinese Orchestra, the longest running Chinese orchestra in Canada and the largest in Ontario. The paper will comprise of three main sections: 1) Overview of the history and development of the modern Chinese orchestra as a vehicle to express cultural identity within the Chinese ethnicity in the twentieth century 2) Overview of the history and development of the Chinese orchestra in Toronto in relation to Chinese migration 3) Analysis on the cultural identity of Toronto Chinese Orchestra, based on its activities and repertoir

Supporting Inuit Food Security: A Synthesis of Initiatives in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Northwest Territories

Food insecurity among Indigenous Peoples of northern Canada is a significant public health issue that is exacerbated by changing social and environmental conditions. While a patchwork of programs, strategies and polices exist, the extent to which they address all “pillars” of food security (food availability, access, quality, and utilization) remains under-assessed. We respond to this gap by providing a framework for synthesizing and assessing information about food security initiatives, using a case study of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), the westernmost Inuit region of Canada. Our objectives are: (1) to identify existing initiatives in the ISR; (2) to assess the breadth and diversity of these initiatives in addressing the four key food security “pillars”; and (3) to present an analytical framework that will facilitate ongoing data updating and sharing in the ISR and elsewhere. Through a scoping review and direct consultation with 12 key informants, we identified 30 initiatives that support food security in the ISR. These are funded and implemented at a range of national, territorial, regional, and local levels, and include both governmental and non-governmental programs, strategic frameworks, and research and monitoring initiatives. Seven key themes emerged from the cross-scale analysis of these initiatives, including: orientation with respect to food security pillars, scope and scale, demographic targeting, funding, monitoring and evaluation, and implications for food security strategies. While our framework provides a useful tool for data synthesis and analysis, its outputs can help in identifying gaps and opportunities for both resource allocation and program and policy development for under-served communities. Significantly, this study highlights the importance of engaging local perspectives in the development of coordinated approaches to address Inuit food insecurity

Calories are cheap, nutrients are expensive – the challenge of healthy living in Arctic communities

Indigenous Peoples living in rural and remote regions of Canada, the United States, and Australia experience the highest food prices in each country. High food prices, low incomes, and limited access to nutritious perishable foods foster increased reliance on poor quality non-perishable foods. In northern Canada, Inuit experience food insecurity at over eight times the rate of the general Canadian population. This study aims to contribute to the evidence-base for informing food policy in remote northern communities by documenting food prices and investigating the economic dimensions of diet quality and nutrition in one region of Arctic Canada. A participatory food costing study was undertaken seasonally in six communities of the western Canadian Arctic during a 14-month period (late 2014 to early 2016). Community research assistants systematically collected food prices for a list of 106 market foods. Food prices in the region were markedly higher than the national average. The average cost of the Revised Northern Food Basket (to feed a family of four for one week) was CAD $410, over two times the equivalent cost of feeding a family of four in the capital city of Ottawa (CAD$192). Results from this study also provide evidence of significant price differentials between energy-dense nutrient-poor foods, and costlier nutrient-rich foods. Evidenced-based policy is needed to overcome the unique challenges of food retailing in remote northern environments. Such policies must be pursued with due recognition of community priorities and self-determination, and pursued in parallel to initiatives that enhance access to traditional (country) food

Improving predictability of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4 V lattices for orthopaedic devices: A parametric and struts angle study

The advancement of metal additive manufacturing has recently enabled the integration of porous lattice regions into orthopaedic devices. Despite the increased utilisation of various metamaterials there remains limited understanding of how to optimise laser process specifically for these geometries. Selective laser melting (SLM) of representative single struts is focused on this study from the perspective of surface properties, mechanical performance, and in-vitro biological response. Specifically, the influence of laser power (100 – 200 W) and speed (2250 – 900 mm/s) and struts angle (20–90°) for a 250μ m strut diameter was explored. Struts built below 45° to the substrate using optimal laser parameters (150 W and 1125 mm/s) were found to exhibit a surface topography that facilitated the highest level of cell adhesion (84.3 cells/mm2) after 24 hrs (p ≤ 0.001). To support this finding, a novel image analysis method was developed to characterise the average roughness across the complete strut profile. An opposite trend was observed for mechanical strength with struts built at above 45° without failure. These findings were brought together in a parameter design map was to guide stakeholders in producing customised biomedical devices, enabling control of key physiochemical properties with the aim of maximising osseointegration