Social work, ethics and vulnerable groups in the time of Coronavirus and COVID-19

The profession of social work is dedicated to the betterment of society and to the protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups. The profession’s mission is detailed in the set of seven core values: service; social justice; dignity and work of the person; importance of human relationships; integrity; and competence. Relationships between people and among groups are the primary tools of social work assessment, intervention and evaluation. In the time of coronavirus and COVID-19, there are many challenges for professional practitioners to adhere to social work’s core values as well as to maintain their own health and welfare in a time of uncertain and rapidly changing situations. This paper will examine the challenges and innovations for each social work core value and present ideas for innovation and adaptation suited to these times. The paper will present challenges and innovations using examples of two community agencies providing services to people who are homeless and addicted. In summary we will offer some insights and expectations for the future of social work in the coming years, after this experience of coronavirus and COVID-19

American Perspectives on Suicidality Among Men in Poland

This article examines sociological, psychological, and suicidological research on the determinants of male suicide to explore the fact that Polish men complete suicide 7.4 times more than women, a frequency twice as high as in the US. This paper is based upon an examination of relevant literature and statistical databases. A keyword search was completed in both Polish and English language databases. Ideals of masculinity and negative social attitudes towards a non-binary view of gender may increase stressors and discourage men in Poland from revealing their problems while seeking support, explaining the high rates of suicide completion among Polish men. Suicide prevention programs must tackle gender conceptualizations and alcohol use patterns as well as increase avenues for male help-seeking behaviors. These changes will require political and religious organizations to confront the weakening of male hegemony as the organizing principle for family and society. This paper explores the increased rate of male suicide in Poland from the perspective of gender

Using Multiple Lenses to See an Invisible Group

Social work in Poland and in the United States shares the values of human dignity and self-determination, but there are often value conflicts in terms of how various groups experience social roles and social expectations. This paper explores the use of multiple lenses to understand the past and current conditions for LGBT+ people in Poland. An international, university-level collaboration uses a framework of “invisible groups” to highlight the needs of those who are on the margins of society and whose human and individual rights are suppressed. The article reviews the results of a recently published on-line survey of LGBT+ populations and their views of their experiences in Polish society to illustrate their “invisibility” and the need for advocacy from the international social work community

The Transformation of Social Work in Ukraine Before and During the War

Background: This article aims to review the development of the social work profession in Ukraine and to describe the impact of social, economic and political changes on social work practices and education. Methods: A comprehensive literature review and participant observation methods informed this study. A case study of a Polish community’s response to Ukrainian war refugees illustrates how social workers might capitalize on current social structures to continue strengthening civil society in Ukraine. Findings and Discussion: Social Work, focusing on the fit between person and environment, is shaped by knowledge, culture and belief systems. Ukraine’s history and transition from communist/centralized thinking to civil society is reflected in the development of social work to date. The impact of Russian invasions has hindered and strengthened how social workers can recognize and respond to needs. Limitations include the time lag between published articles and the rapidly changing situation in Ukraine. Originality/Value: Few articles focus on social work development in Ukraine, which adds to this article’s originality and relevance

Teaching English as a Foreign Language: A Case Study From Poland

This article presents a detailed history of the development of a particular immersion program to teach English to young Polish students. The program draws support from two organizations, the Kościuszko Foundation and the Polish Scouting Organization. Kościuszko Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the ties between the United States and Poland as well as to increase knowledge of Poland’s history and culture in the United States. The cooperation of these two organizations developed an experience of immersion in language and cultural exchange. Both the teachers and the students in this program benefited from the opportunity to engage in a number of different types of language activities and cultural events through a summer camp experience. This program is, of course, unique, but the elements of context, culture and immersion could be used in other programs to develop English skills and knowledge in the context American culture

Mental Health Problems of the Youngest Generation of American Veterans (Problemy zdrowia psychicznego najmłodszego pokolenia weteranów amerykańskich)

Wartime activities determine the threats to a soldier’s life and health. To prepare soldiers for a new forms of warfare, one should know the challenges the soldier faces in the midst of battle and after returning home. From 2001 to 2015, 1.2 million American soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan used the health care services of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. An analysis of the resulting medical interventions makes possible a long term evaluation of the effects of war, some of which appear only after the soldier returns to civilian life. This study analyzes the research on the mental health problems of soldiers who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. Veterans report mental health problems reluctantly; they try to solve the problems connected to their return from war on their own. Many cases of traumatic brain injury and post‑traumatic stress are left undiagnosed, while the use of pain relievers and other drugs increases. As a result, veterans may seek help only many months or even years after leaving the military. The sudden increase in the appearance of complex mental health problems among this new generation of veterans necessitated changes in the US healthcare structure and in specialized medical training to meet this new challenge

The Role of Social Work in Health Care for Veterans in the United States of America (Praca socjalna w lecznictwie weteranów służby wojskowej w USA)

Clinical social work in the American system of health care and its specific features in the Veterans Affairs (VA) of veterans are described in this paper. VA hospitals are the largest employers of social work worldwide. Because health care for veterans is paid for from government funds, VA hospitals are subject to regulations developed on the basis of research into the system’s effectiveness and efficiency. Clinical social workers cooperate with physicians and nurses to comprise an integral part of the health care team. Social workers fulfill the usual tasks related to social well‑being but also act as health educators and counselors. All social workers of the hospital are members of their own division, in which they receive support, supervision, and assistance in further education and professional development. The example of serving homeless veterans in Cleveland, Ohio, is used to describe the function of social workers in VA hospitals

Central Pattern Generator and Control of Breathing (Ośrodkowy generator wzorca i kontrola oddychania)

Fifty years ago, Clark and Euler published a model of the neural control of respiration that stimulated modern studies on the central generator of the rate and depth of breathing. These studies led to new discoveries concerning both anatomical localization and functional characteristics of respiratory central pattern generator (CPG), and as a result our knowledge has greatly changed. This article describes the history of respiratory CPG research and, more specifically, explains how studies concerning the regulation of breathing parameters affect the creation of new hypotheses and theoretical models of the neural control of respiration. Comparing studies on the generators of cyclic movements of respiration and locomotion helps us to show their significance for clinical research, especially in the field of spinal injury. After partial or total paralysis of muscles, techniques of muscle work assistance are especially important. Therefore, different techniques of assisted locomotion and breathing are presented here and an explanation of how locomotion and breathing can influence each other is offered. The ability to reactivate the spinal neuronal network using either pharmacological or electrical stimulation methods is discussed. Research performed with the application of biologically steered servo-respirators allow for a better understanding of respiratory CPG and show the limits of assisted ventilation in clinical practice. This article presents the role of activity-dependent plasticity in the rehabilitation of locomotor and respiratory muscles after spinal injury

Trauma Informed Care in Medical Facilities (Terapia zorientowana na traumę w placówkach ochrony zdrowia)

The recognition of traumatic experiences across all aspects of human life has spurred the development of research on the impacts of trauma in various segments of society. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) first documented the correlation between childhood trauma exposure and physical and mental health disorders in adulthood. Further studies provided additional evidence of the long lasting impacts of trauma and led to practices to decrease re-traumatizing policies and practices. Trauma informed care (TIC) offers concepts and approaches for successful engagement and effective treatment for trauma survivors. This paper presents six basic principles of TIC and the methods for their application. This study also presents the results of research on the importance of understanding an individual’s conceptualization of the trauma event. It has been suggested that the individual’s unique perceptions of the trauma experience should influence the selection of an appropriate therapeutic approach

Knowledge of Malaria and Its Association with Malaria-Related Behaviors—Results from the Malaria Indicator Survey, Ethiopia, 2007

Background: In 2005, the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia launched a major effort to distribute over 20 million long-lasting insecticidal nets, provide universal access to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs), and train 30,000 village-based health extension workers.\ud \ud Methods and Findings: A cross-sectional, nationally representative Malaria Indicator Survey was conducted during the malaria transmission season in 2007. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of women's malaria knowledge on household ITN ownership and women's ITN use. In addition, we investigated the effect of mothers' malaria knowledge on their children under 5 years of age's (U5) ITN use and their access to fever treatment on behalf of their child U5. Malaria knowledge was based on a composite index about the causes, symptoms, danger signs and prevention of malaria. Approximately 67% of women (n = 5,949) and mothers of children U5 (n = 3,447) reported some knowledge of malaria. Women's knowledge of malaria was significantly associated with household ITN ownership (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–2.7) and with increased ITN use for themselves (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.3–2.5). Knowledge of malaria amongst mothers of children U5 was associated with ITN use for their children U5 (aOR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.4), but not significantly associated with their children U5 seeking care for a fever. School attendance was a significant factor in women's ITN use (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.1–3.9), their children U5′s ITN use (aOR = 4.4; 95% CI 1.6–12.1), and their children U5 having sought treatment for a fever (aOR = 6.5; 95% CI 1.9–22.9).\ud \ud Conclusions: Along with mass free distribution of ITNs and universal access to ACTs, delivery of targeted malaria educational information to women could improve ITN ownership and use. Efforts to control malaria could be influenced by progress towards broader goals of improving access to education, especially for women