The Sustainability of Public Social Services: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The 2008 global economic crisis heightened social inequality and drastically reduced equal opportunities for many people. It had negative consequences for social regulation in many European countries, which have dismantled their public social policies. The objective of the study was to describe social workers’ perceptions of their lived experiences in different areas of the public social services system. A qualitative study was developed, based on a hermeneutic approach. Six in-depth interviews and two focus groups were conducted with 20 social workers employed by community social services and the Andalusian public health service (Spain). The professionals agreed that the public social services system has been eroded, that the lack of resources has consequences for workers and the general public alike, and that the public authorities and the administration are responsible for this situation. Social services have become distributors of scarce resources rather than a social protection system that empowers and accompanies the most vulnerable. The system must provide the necessary resources and structures so that they can escape the situation of poverty, exclusion and social injustice.

Understanding the concept of compassion from the perspectives of nurses

“…The available literature suggests that compassion, when exercised under appropriate conditions, is beneficial for both professionals and patients. 3,10,33,35,48 However, we did not find any qualitative studies from the point of view of professionals that include this positive aspect. This is an obstacle to nurses being motivated to cultivate and train for compassion.…”

“…Informants were selected using an intentional sampling method with the snowball technique. 35 This technique made it possible to conveniently select the informants who could provide the most information based on the objective of this study. The number of participants required was determined by the principle of theoretical saturation, according to which no new relevant data are obtained even if the sample size is further increased.…”

How International Health System Austerity Responses to the 2008 Financial Crisis Impacted Health System and Workforce Resilience – A Realist Review

“…In context of restrictive fiscal policies (staffing, consumables, treatment options, available time with patient), a perceived value shift * is evident for health professionals, from patient-focused to economic, 84 , 87 , 88 , 90 , 92 with long-term consequences resulting in a diminished view of the profession, apathy and burnt-out among health professionals. 81 , 84 , 87 , 89 , 93 - 96 …”

Focus on Weaknesses or Strengths? Determining Factors for an Inclusive and Relational Management in Public Community Social Service Organizations

“…This is not an isolated fact. The economic differences between regions, more intense in Spain and other Mediterranean countries, are joined [31] with the sustainability problems that affect social policies in Europe, as shown by works such as those of Huber et al [32] and Küzel [33], which cause different levels of SS.SS development [12].…”

“…However, despite regulatory clarification and budgetary efforts, the different actors involved (e.g., politicians, professionals, citizens) noted that the 2008 economic crisis blocked this re-focus of social intervention [10]. The most frequent argument used to a explain this is the over-demand on SS.SS services [11,12]. Between 2007 and 2016, the volume of requests grew by 26.7%, most of which required urgent responses to evictions and withdrawals of electricity supply [13].…”