A Muslim Chaplaincy for Asylum Seekers? Results from an Evaluation Research Study

Due to the high number of Muslim applicants in the Swiss asylum system, in recent years there have been calls for an introduction of a Muslim chaplaincy service into Switzerland’s asylum centers. Acknowledging this need, the Swiss federal government ran a Muslim chaplaincy pilot service in Zurich’s Juch Asylum Center between July 2016 and June 2017, with a view to its possible roll-out across Switzerland’s federal asylum centers. This paper links methodological reflection with a presentation of key results in the evaluation of this project. Applying a mixed-method design based on the fourth-generation evaluation research, the study investigates the perspectives of the main stakeholder groups on the pilot project. The interaction with Muslim chaplains mostly led to a high degree of satisfaction among asylum seekers. The study shows there were difficulties and obstacles integrating Muslim chaplaincy into the center’s inter-professional setting, although the interfaith cooperation with Christian chaplains nonetheless developed intensively. The study’s methodological limitations, primarily caused by the setting of the study, are also discussed, as well as the impact the evaluation itself had on the asylum center setting.

Assessment of components of crack users’ attention network

ABSTRACT Objective: Assess components of the Psychosocial Attention Network (RAPS) in crack user care in a Rio Grande do Sul municipality. Method: Qualitative study based on Fourth Generation Evaluation. Data collection occurred in 2014, through participating observation and interviews based on the Hermeneutic-Dialectic Circle. Ten uses, eleven family members, seven managers and eight workers at a Psychosocial Attention Center participated. The Constant Comparative Method was used for data analysis. Results: Difficulties were observed in the network articulation with the general hospital, due to prejudice and the lack of structure of the team. SAMU’s (Mobile Emergency Care Service) dependence on the Military Brigade for the service indicates a frailty of the network. The need to re-think the way therapeutic farms operate in the network is a consensus. Conclusion: RAPS is being implemented and its concretization depends on the involvement of professionals, managers and social control of users and family members.

Operation of a hospital palliative care service: a fourth-generation evaluation

ABSTRACT Objective: Qualitatively evaluate the operation of a palliative care service in oncology. Methodology: Qualitative study conducted in a service in southern Brazil based on a fourth generation evaluation. Between September 2014 and June 2015, 460 hours of operation were observed, and 45 semi-structured interviews and five negotiation meetings were conducted; data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results: Potential services are: provision of outpatient palliative care, home and inpatient care provided by a multidisciplinary and support team, meeting the patient’s biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Study limitations: ineffective communication between clinical and surgical oncology and palliative care sectors, lack of specialized training for professionals and in interpersonal relationship issues among team members. Final Consideration: For palliative care progress in the service, some arrangements are required to enhance integrality of care.

Evaluation of elderly care dynamics in an emergency care unit

ABSTRACT Objective: understand elderly care dynamics of an emergency care unit. Method: this is a case study evaluation, using a qualitative approach and the theoretical-methodological reference of a fourth generation evaluation. Data collection was conducted between February and September 2017, through 460 hours of participant observation, interviews with 33 social actors among health professionals, elderly people and their relatives of an emergency care unit located in a municipality in the northwest of Paraná, as well as negotiation meetings with participants. Results: the evaluation showed the elderly care dynamics is mainly influenced by nursing actions that articulate care practices based on priority, frailty, autonomy, independence and family context of the elderly patients. Final considerations: an evaluation of how the emergency care unit operates helps improve elderly care in urgent and emergency services.

EVALUATION OF CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS USERS OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES: POTENTIALITY AND FRAGILITIES

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the care to the child and the adolescent in treatment in the general hospital for mental and behavioral disorders due to the use of psychoactive substances, from the perspective of the Nursing. Method: evaluative study, of the case study type, with the use of the theoretical-methodological reference of the Fourth Generation Evaluation. The group of interest was composed of 19 professionals of the Nursing team of a Unit allocated in a general and teaching hospital of the West of Paraná. Data were collected from June 2015 to February 2016 through 410 hours of non-participant observation, individual interviews, following the hermeneutic-dialectical circle and a negotiation meeting. Data analysis was performed using the Constant Comparative Method. Results: three categories emerged from the analysis: nursing care for children and adolescents, Potential care and Fragility in care. the interest group reported a differentiated care of the other units of the institution, expressing the concern to care in a global and humanized way. They pointed out the development of meetings of agreement between the scenario of the study and the municipalities as one of the facilities for the care and, as greater fragility, the lack of physical space. Conclusion: It is hoped that the results of this study may instigate and provide critical reflection of professionals who develop their practice with children and adolescents who use or abuse psychoactive substance in the various health treatment services.

Portraits on the crack user built by the media

ABSTRACT Objective: evaluate how the crack user is portrayed by the media. Method: qualitative study, using fourth generation evaluation. The data were collected in interviews and field observations in a mental health network service of the Porto Alegre-RS metropolitan area. The participants were 10 users, 11 family members, 08 health service professionals and 07 managers. Results: the findings revealed that media relates the crack user profile to violence, crime and disease, which does not correspond to the reality experienced in the health service. This image disregards the different ways of using the drug and the different productions of life of these individuals, increasing social exclusion and stigma. Final considerations: The challenge is to build shared, integrated, clear and honest information.

Evaluation of intersectoral resources in the composition of care networks for crack users

Objective: To evaluate the intersectoral resources in the composition of care networks for crack users. Method: Evaluative, qualitative study based on the Fourth Generation Evaluation. The participants were 10 users, 11 family members, eight workers, and seven managers from a municipality in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre/Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected in 2014 through observation and semi-structured interviews. The analysis occurred by the constant comparative method. Results: Stakeholders have discussed how the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Military Brigade are inserted in the network, since they carry out actions that often are not compatible with the psychosocial care proposal. The need for expansion and maintenance of liaisons with community resources was identified. Conclusion: It is noted the need for sector integration and participation of all social agents from different spheres in order to promote and evaluate the practices and policies of care for crack users.

MENTAL HEALTH AMBULATORY: WEAKNESSES POINTED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identify the weaknesses of the mental health ambulatory service from the professionals' perspective. This was a qualitative study, developed by the Fourth Generation Evaluation method. Data were collected during February and March 2013 with the use of non-participant observation, individual opened interviews and group technique for the negotiation session. The informants were 12 working professionals at the ambulatory. The results pointed out weaknesses in the organizational structure of the healthcare network in mental health, especially regarding accessibility, physical structure and the presence of extensive waiting list for care. Regarding human resources, issues included: ignorance of the operation of the mental health network and of the activities performed, medical turnover, deficiency in training and continuous education and professional devaluation. It is necessary to reflect on the real role of ambulatories within the mental health network and its effectiveness in providing care.

Stigma and prejudice: the experience of crack users

Objective to evaluate the stigma and prejudice experienced by crack users in their social context. Method a qualitative study developed through the Fourth Generation Evaluation, conducted with four interest groups (ten users, eleven families, eight employees, and seven managers), components of the mental health care network. For data collection, we used observation and individual interview. The analysis was performed through the constant comparative method. Results crack users suffer prejudice and are stigmatized as those who do not fit in the systems established by society (without family links, formal employment and dwelling), and are thus excluded. They exhibit undisciplined behavior and, therefore, are discriminated, marginalized and considered as criminals, losing their uniqueness and living in vulnerable situations. Conclusion the evaluation process emphasized the need to demystify the social imaginary that demonizes the chemically dependent, being thus important to develop public policies with actions focused on health, prevention, information and combat to stigma.