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One goal of the Social Work Grand Challenge is to positively influence the applications of technology. Nowhere is the challenge of integrating innovative technology more apparent than in field education settings. However, current technology trends, challenges, as well as interns' use of technology, which is often used in field education settings, particularly after the major shift to virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, are not well documented. During Fall 2021, the authors sought to evaluate field educators' (1) current use of technology in social service agencies, (2) perceptions and concerns about technology, and (3) plans for training and engaging student interns with technology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen field educators recruited from one social work program. A rigorous thematic analysis approach then was used among six coders to report thematic findings. In this study, we report (1) benefits and limitations of using technology, (2) informal and formal technology training offered to student interns in social service agencies, and (3) recommendations for engaging and training students with technology. Two emerging themes were consistent: (1) generational differences related to technology perspectives of student interns and clients and (2) that the benefits and limitations of technology often are mixed.

Objective: In this study, we sought to determine technology acceptance of a mobile application (app) to facilitate healthy behaviors as perceived by English- and Spanish-speaking participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Methods: Our sample was 48 mothers (78% Hispanic-American) at WIC clinics in south-central Texas. Through 6 focus groups, we explored user intention of a wireframe app prototype. Discussion probes were based on the construct of behavioral intention. We used qualitative analysis software to organize theme identification and description. Results: Participants were more willing to use an app if it was easy to navigate and included features that addressed specific challenges for WIC health behaviors. Emergent themes thought to facilitate app use included preferences seen between languages and habit. English-speakers were more likely to use an app if it was entertaining and customizable. Spanish-speakers put a high priority on app functionality. WIC participants placed high priority on the app's ability to help manage family health behaviors and expressed trust for information provided by WIC. Conclusion: Apps are a feasible approach to modernize WIC breastfeeding and nutrition education. English- and Spanish-speakers have both similar and different priorities with app use and should be considered in future app development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Limited information exists regarding the cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Objective. The study objective was to compare the cost-effectiveness of 4 different combinations of exercise, manual therapy, and booster sessions for individuals with knee OA. Design. This economic evaluation involved a cost-effectiveness analysis performed alongside a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Setting. The study took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Antonio, Texas. Participants. The study participants were 300 individuals taking part in a randomized controlled trial investigating various physical therapy strategies for knee OA. Intervention. Participants were randomized into 4 treatment groups: exercise only (EX), exercise plus booster sessions (EX+B), exercise plus manual therapy (EX+MT), and exercise plus manual therapy and booster sessions (EX+MT+B). Measurements. For the 2-year base case scenario, a Markov model was constructed using the United States societal perspective and a 3% discount rate for costs and quality- adjusted life years (QALYs). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated to compare differences in cost per QALY gained among the 4 treatment strategies. Results. In the 2-year analysis, booster strategies (EX+MT+B and EX+B) dominated no-booster strategies, with both lower health care costs and greater effectiveness. EX+ MT+B had the lowest total health care costs. EX+B cost $1061 more and gained 0.082 more QALYs than EX+MT+B, for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $12,900/QALY gained. Limitations. The small number of total knee arthroplasty surgeries received by individuals in this study made the assessment of whether any particular strategy was more successful at delaying or preventing surgery in individuals with knee OA difficult. Conclusions. Spacing exercise-based physical therapy sessions over 12 months using periodic booster sessions was less costly and more effective over 2 years than strategies not containing booster sessions for individuals with knee OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on a focus group study on a user-centered smartphone software application (app) designed to improve health behaviors among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Texas. It discusses how app themes such as texting, gaming, and information sharing were popular among group participants and therefore should be incorporated into prototype designs.

Objective In this study, we sought to determine technology acceptance of a mobile application (app) to facilitate healthy behaviors as perceived by English- and Spanish-speaking participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Methods Our sample was 48 mothers (78% Hispanic-American) at WIC clinics in south-central Texas. Through 6 focus groups, we explored user intention of a wireframe app prototype. Discussion probes were based on the construct of behavioral intention. We used qualitative analysis software to organize theme identification and description. Results Participants were more willing to use an app if it was easy to navigate and included features that addressed specific challenges for WIC health behaviors. Emergent themes thought to facilitate app use included preferences seen between languages and habit. English-speakers were more likely to use an app if it was entertaining and customizable. Spanish-speakers put a high priority on app functionality. WIC participants placed high priority on the app's ability to help manage family health behaviors and expressed trust for information provided by WIC. Conclusion Apps are a feasible approach to modernize WIC breastfeeding and nutrition education. English- and Spanish-speakers have both similar and different priorities with app use and should be considered in future app development.

Well-designed electronic health records (EHRs) must integrate a variety of accurate information to support efforts to improve quality of care, particularly equity-in-care initiatives. This case study provides insight into the challenges those initiatives may face in collecting accurate race, ethnicity, and language (REAL) information in the EHR. We present the experience of an academic medical center strengthening its EHR for better collection of REAL data with funding from the EHR Incentive Programs for meaningful use of health information technology and the Texas Medicaid 1115 Waiver program. We also present a plan to address some of the challenges that arose during the course of the project. Our experience at an academic medical center can provide guidance about the likely challenges similar institutions may expect when they implement new initiatives to collect REAL data, particularly challenges regarding scope, personnel, and other resource needs.

Home-based asthma environmental education for parents of asthmatic children is needed since many health professionals lack the time to offer it. However, developing targeted and tailored education is important in order to address the individual needs of participants. This nonrandomized longitudinal study examined knowledge on asthma with an Asthma and Healthy Homes educational intervention training offered to parents of children from low income families who reside in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Eighty-nine parents received the training and pre- and posttest surveys were used to measure knowledge outcomes. A standardized assessment on asthma triggers was used to identify the different triggers each child was exposed to, and a follow-up survey was conducted 6 months after the educational intervention to identify how many parents reported household and behavior changes as a result of the training. Results showed significant changes in behavior by participants as a result of the training received. This study suggests that these behavioral changes are attributed to the dual "targeted" and "tailored" educational interventions delivered to parents which resulted in a greater understanding of how to manage asthma by eliminating asthma triggers in their respective homes.