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This paper reviews one aspect, impact, of the forthcoming assessment of research in UK universities, the Research Excellence Framework (REF), and examines its meaning and potential for enhanced partnerships between social work practice and academia in the context of the current economic crisis. Examples of case studies being developed to show how research has societal impact are described and some of the complexities of what, on the surface appears to echo social work 19s desire to make a positive difference to the lives of people in society, are drawn out. The importance of the REF for the integration of social work practice and academia have been rehearsed many times. This paper argues that making an impact is everybody 19s concern and practitioners and those who use social work services and their carers have a role to play in its creation and identification.

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a review of reviews to identify characteristics of effective sex and relationship education (SRE) interventions and/or programmes in young people to improve sexual health and identify barriers and facilitators for implementation. Six bibliographic databases were searched from 1986 to 2006 for systematic reviews that assessed SRE interventions or programmes in participants between 10 and 18 years old and their partners. All outcomes of improvement in sexual health were assessed and 30 systematic reviews were included. Effective interventions and/or programmes tended to be those targeting younger age groups before they become sexually active, focused interventions tailored to the physical and biological development stages, theory based, and abstinence education programmes that incorporate values of relationships and provide skills training and links to contraceptive services. Adequate training of personnel delivering the interventions and culturally sensitive programm...

Objectives The study aimed to obtain information on secondary schoolchildren's behaviours and attitudes towards physical activity (PA) and other lifestyle factors. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess schoolchildren's structured and unstructured PA, television/computer use and smoking activities over the previous seven days. The study sample comprised of first year pupils aged 11–13 years old at one secondary school located in an area of low socio-economic status in Scotland (n=158, response rate 99%). Results Although most children were active at some point during the previous seven days, the majority of children (74%) did not participate in the nationally recommended PA levels. Gender disparities were evident with significantly more boys reporting higher levels of PA than girls. Smokers were associated with lower levels of PA, however sedentary behaviour had a limited effect on activity levels. Conclusion The high level of inactivity amongst this cohort of school-aged children...

A high demand exists in the United Kingdom for breast cancer genetic counselling. Due to the disease's high incidence, many women who received such counselling are eventually assessed as not being at high genetic risk. This study elicits the experiences and perceptions of such women, as little research has been conducted. A qualitative interview-based study was conducted in the north-east of Scotland with a sample of women at low to moderate risk of developing breast cancer, who had received genetic counselling. The interviews addressed the women's reasons for attending genetic counselling, their prior expectations and their perceptions of the outcomes of counselling. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify the key themes. The women themselves were mainly responsible for raising concerns regarding family history and, in general, sought information and reassurance about their own risk. Whilst they generally felt reassured after counselling, many did not understand the information they had been given ...

This paper builds on debates about the meaning and definition of social exclusion through an empirical analysis undertaken as part of a four-year evaluation study of a Scottish demonstration project on young peoples’ sexual health. It examines how interventions to improve sexual well-being might be construed as a way of promoting social inclusion, and then explores to what extent the organisation of bureaucratic relations in an intervention characterised by ‘joined-up’ working helped or impeded social inclusion.

Aim To investigate the current attitudes and behaviour of young women towards formal sex education and informal sources of sexual health advice. Method Qualitative research methods were adopted in the form of focus group discussions, which included questions on sex education, sexual health campaigns and informal sources of sexual health information and advice. The group interviews were recorded. A content analysis of the transcriptions was undertaken to identify the key themes and concepts. Results Five focus groups were conducted in formal secondary-school settings and one in a community education centre. In total 31 young women aged 16–18 years participated in the study. Results showed that participants viewed the delivery of sex education as outdated and often ineffective. Teachers are not deemed to be effective providers of sex education and external healthcare facilitators are preferred. The main sources of sexual health information and advice for young women are friends, older sisters and g...

Aims: To explore, in-depth, substance misuse nurses’ roles in assessment and decision making, the relative role of the client, the nurse and others in this process and to consider policy implications.Methods: Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a sample of substance misuse nurses managing individuals with drug problems across Scotland (n = 29). The sample was identified from respondents to a questionnaire distributed to all substance misuse nurses in a linked study. Interviewees were purposively sampled to cover a range of gender, years’ experience, attitudes and NHS area. Twenty-nine interviews were conducted across six areas. Interviews focused on assessment and treatment decision making. Thematic Analysis was undertaken.Findings: Nurses’ descriptions of assessment and decision making reflected a client-centred approach with clients being the main influence in decision making. Protocols and guidelines provided an evidence-based background and nurses occasionally have to manage c...

With advances in the ‘new genetics’, an increasing number of people will have access to genetic information and predictive or susceptibility testing. Genetic knowledge has implications for individuals themselves, as well as other family members. In general, health professionals encourage people to pass on genetic risk information to their relatives. However, the disclosure of such information is not always straightforward and, consequently, some people may not be aware of their risk. If risk information is actively withheld, genetic counsellors may need to determine whether they have a duty to pass this on, particularly when preventive action can be taken. To date, little research has explored the barriers and facilitators in family communication about genetic risk. This paper draws on empirical data from a qualitative study exploring communication in families with late-onset familial disease. Interviews were conducted with participants who received genetic counselling for risk of Huntington's di...

This paper reports a qualitative study of Now You're Cooking (NYC), a health promotions cooking initiative in Northeast Scotland, providing cooking classes in lower social class areas. This is a first attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of NYC since its start in the mid-1990s. This study consisted of six semi-structured interviews with NYC participants. The analysis indicated that those participants not only gained cooking skills but also had the opportunity to socialise, and learned other skills such as food hygiene and budgeting. A number of issues arose concerning the ability of low-income groups to change their diet and use the cooking and budgeting skills learned to a maximum, particularly in relation to access to healthier food. As part of the wider evaluation of NYC, further interviews with non- participants are recommended.

Quantitative researchers may argue that a finding or result is more likely to be accepted as a fact if it is quantified (expressed in numbers), than if it is not (Black, 1994). 'There is little or no scientific evidence, for example to support the well-known "fact" that one couple in 10 is infertile, yet most of us are happy to accept uncritically such simplified, reductionist, and blatantly incorrect statements, so long as they contain at least one number' (Greenhalgh & Taylor, 1997, p. 740). Interest in qualitative methods and their wider exposure in health care has led to necessary scrutiny of this type of research (Mays & Pope, 2000). This article compares the basic purpose and focus of quantitative and qualitative research, and draws attention to the relative lack of qualitative research in fertility and reproduction compared to quantitative methods. The authors highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both methods and promote qualitative methods as a valuable tool in fertility and reproduction related studies.

This study was undertaken to assess patient satisfaction with the decision making process as well as with the decision made at the end of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Couples who had decided to end treatment after unsuccessful IVF at a single hospital within the last 24 months were invited to complete a questionnaire. Valid questionnaires were returned by 71 (51%) out of a total of 139 couples. Sixty-nine (97%) questionnaires were completed by the female partner. Most women (73%) felt that they were adequately informed about the issues important to the decision. Fifty-eight women (81%) were involved with the decision making process; 38 (58%) felt supported by the clinic doctor and 41 (62%) were satisfied with the decision made. In response to a number of questions about information provision, few women (18 - 24%, depending on the individual question) felt that they had received enough information from the IVF clinician about advantages and disadvantages of stopping treatment and options such as adoption and fostering. Women contemplating the end of IVF treatment appear to be satisfied with the clinician's attitude, the decision making process and the decision made. While information provided during the final consultation is felt to be adequate for decision making, discussion about certain important options such as adoption and fostering could be more detailed.

Objective—to provide an inventory of all types of existing health promotion initiatives that target people over 50 in one region in Scotland.Design—postal questionnaires were used to collect a mixture of qualitative and quantitative information from 60 out of 82 recipients. Content analysis was used to analyse text responses.Results—definitions of health and attitudes towards health promotion given by service providers were of particular interest alongside recommendations of more effective health promotion interventions for this target age group. There is a need for education amongst those who work with older people with regard to health and health promotion, both generally and for the age group. A considerable interest was expressed in a co-ordinated health promotion network.