ABSTRACT
This study examined the effects of mental health service provider turnover rates on system integration. System integration was defined as appropriate referrals and the freeflow exchange of information among three components: mental health care, primary health care, and dedicated HIV care coordination services. From a sample of 17 mental health centres across a midwestern state, higher staff turnover rates did not negatively impact integration, with the exception of within-centre services. Mental health service providers are aware of who other network providers are, but integration breaks down at a level of implementation in terms of contacts, exchange of information and referrals. Integrative efforts focused on care coordination with little to no evidence of bidirectionality.
Subject(s)
Continuity of Patient Care/standards , HIV Infections/therapy , Mental Health Services , Personnel Turnover/statistics & numerical data , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/therapy , Adult , Female , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Indiana , Interinstitutional Relations , Male , Middle Aged , Primary Health Care , Surveys and Questionnaires , WorkforceABSTRACT
A sample of hospice volunteers (n = 99) was administered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Myers & McCaulley, 1985). Frequencies of types observed were compared to population sample (n = 1,105) frequencies. Results indicated that, as a whole, hospice volunteers preferred extraversion over introversion, intuition over sensing, and feeling over thinking. Analysis of four-and two-letter preference combinations also yielded statistically significant differences. Most notably, the sensing-intuitive function appeared pivotal in determining of hospice volunteering. Suggestions are offered as to why the sensing-intuition function appeared central to hospice volunteering. Results appeared consistent with Jungian personality theory.
Subject(s)
Hospice Care , Personality Assessment , Personality , Volunteers/psychology , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Jungian Theory , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
We studied volunteers in one of the world's first AIDS-dedicated hospices and compared them on demographic, experiential, and personality related dimensions to volunteers in a traditional hospice. Eighty percent of the active volunteers at each facility participated. Eight of 16 demographic and 4 of 11 personality related variables differentiated the two groups. AIDS hospice volunteers were on all measures a more heterogeneous group--largely gay or bisexual, younger, more likely to have had prior personal experience with AIDS. In addition, they perceived themselves to be functioning under a significantly higher degree of threat caused by their volunteer work. We performed a post hoc analysis controlling for sexual orientation and matching heterosexual volunteers for gender. Threats to health, social world, employment, and total threat significantly differentiated the two heterosexual groups of volunteers.