This exploratory study used a project-developed questionnaire to examine the perceptions of members of an African-American community ( N = 102) regarding the social work profession and its commitment to issues pertinent to African-Americans. The results suggested that while the African-American respondents felt that social workers could be a source of help, a considerable amount of the respondents reported that they did not see social workers as being helpful or sensitive to the needs of African-Americans. The results of this study have implications for social work practitioners and educators.
The diagnostic process for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) involves a multi-disciplinary team and includes neurodevelopmental, physical, and facial assessments and evidence of prenatal alcohol exposure during the index pregnancy. With the increased use of virtual care in health care due to the pandemic, and desire of clinics to be more efficient when providing timely services, there was a need to develop a virtual diagnostic model for FASD. This study develops a virtual model for the entire FASD assessment and diagnostic process, including individual neurodevelopmental assessments. It proposes a virtual model for assessment and diagnosis of FASD in children and evaluates the functionality of this model with other national and international FASD diagnostic teams and caregivers of children being assessed for FASD.
Primary Subject area Community Paediatrics Background A multidisciplinary team is required for diagnosis and recommendations of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The process involves assessments of growth and facial features, a caregiver interview with the physician, assessment of the patient by a psychologist, speech language pathologist and occupational therapist, and a multidisciplinary meeting of the above clinicians, clinic coordinators, school personnel and other support workers. A final meeting is held with the caregiver to debrief on the team findings, diagnosis, and recommendations. A literature search supported the feasibility of a reliable and accurate assessment of patients that adhere to the recommended Canadian FASD diagnostic guideline. As a result, a “Virtual Model for FASD Diagnosis” was developed. Objectives 1. Pilot a project to assess a Virtual Model of FASD Diagnosis; 2. Promote the model, by webinars, to FASD diagnostic teams nationally and internationally; 3. Survey acceptability of the model among webinar attendees. Design/Methods A literature search revealed that teams used virtual platforms for some components of FASD diagnostic process, but a complete virtual process does not exist. Virtual assessment of motor skills domain was not completed because, in the project team’s experience, this domain is rarely impaired. The project leaders developed a model and partnered with two diagnostic teams to complete a small pilot project of 6 patients, using Telehealth and Gotomeetings as a virtual platform to accommodate patients. Patients were scheduled as per the waitlist for each team. Support workers were trained to be with the patient and the caregiver to support any technological aspects, present testing materials, complete growth measurements and photographs for the photographic software for facial measurements. The coordinator scheduled clinician assessments and caregiver interviews; a multidisciplinary team meeting to discuss findings, diagnoses, and recommendations, and a meeting with the caregiver to debrief. A project member analyzed the photographs to measure the sentinel facial features. A survey of the caregivers, clinicians, support workers, and diagnostic team members was conducted to assess the experience, reliability, and feasibility of the virtual model. Webinars of the model were held (one in Alberta, and one for all of Canada, New Zealand, and Australia). A survey of participants’ pre- and post-webinar use of virtual platforms for part or all of the FASD assessment was completed. Results The results of the pilot project survey (Table 1) confirmed the feasibility, acceptability, and reliability of the virtual model of assessment. The caregivers confirmed that the process was rigorous and acceptable. 40% of team members indicated they would not have been present for an in-person meeting, indicating that the virtual format enabled attendance. Webinar surveys indicated a significantly increased interest in completing at least some portions of the assessment virtually. Conclusion Results indicate that a Virtual Model for FASD diagnosis is feasible, reliable, and acceptable. Increased interest in parts of or the whole project was indicated by teams nationally and internationally. Endorsements increased member attendance for team deliberations when virtual.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.