Browsing by Author "Azulai, Anna"
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Item Are grounded theory and action research compatible? Considerations for methodological triangulation(2021) Azulai, AnnaThis paper explores the prospects of combining Grounded Theory (GT) and Action Research (AR) methodologies to spark further methodological discussion. GT and AR methodologies are sometimes used together in the same study without a discussion of their methodological compatibility. However, different iterations of GT and various forms of AR may inform the level of mutual compatibility. The goal of this conceptual paper is to answer two questions: Which iteration of GT could be more compatible with which form of AR? What benefits and challenges would such a methodological combination pose? The author presents a brief comparative review of GT and AR approaches, commenting on the intriguing complementarities of these methodologies and the benefits of their triangulation in social research. The author concludes that, although the prospect of combining GT and AR is promising, it undeniably requires further scrutiny in the applied research.Item Barriers to the recognition of geriatric depression in residential care facilities in Alberta(2020) Azulai, Anna; Hall, Barry L.This study explored the barriers that regulated nurse professionals encountered in recognizing and assessing geriatric depression in residential care facilities in the Canadian province of Alberta. The study used a convergent parallel mixed methods design, including a cross-sectional survey (N = 635) and qualitative interviews (N = 14) with regulated nurse professionals. Findings revealed six major barriers to the recognition of geriatric depression in Alberta, including 1) insufficient clinical knowledge and training in geriatric depression; 2) misconceived beliefs about geriatric depression; 3) limited access to resources; 4) unclear depression assessment protocol and procedures in facilities; 5) characteristics of models of care and organizational culture in facilities; and 6) communication difficulties among all stakeholders in the process. Socio-cultural values and beliefs about geriatric depression played a key role in the complex interaction of the various structural and agential barriers to the effective recognition and assessment of depression in residential care facilities in Alberta.Item Current and future needs of gerontological social work practice in Alberta: findings from the World Café at the Gerontological Symposium in Edmonton, Canada(2022) Azulai, Anna; Tong, Hongmei; Quinn, Kathaleen; Mykietka, KellyThe growing aging population in Canada has multi-faceted psycho-social needs. Social workers are well-positioned to address these needs, despite many challenges. This paper reports findings from the World Café at the Gerontology Symposium in Alberta, Canada, held in 2018. The goal was to learn from social work practitioners, researchers, and educators (N=49) about current and future needs of gerontological social work in Alberta. There were two research questions: 1) What strategies do social workers need on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to help better serve the growing older adult population in Alberta? (R1) 2) How can social workers promote the value and contribution of gerontological social work within the interprofessional community? (R2) The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Ten R1-related themes emerged: personal traits of a social worker; professional skills; bio-psycho-social needs of older adults; community connections; access to benefits; gerontological social work education; integrated healthcare; aging policy; ageism; and advocacy to strengthen the voice of older adults. The three R2-related themes include strengthening the status of the social work profession; building trust through demonstrated skills; and interprofessional education and practice.Item Doctoral student mentorship in social work education: a Canadian example(2018) Fulton, Amy; Walsh, Christine A.; Gulbrandsen, Carolyn; Tong, Hongmei; Azulai, AnnaPurpose This paper aims to present a thematic analysis investigating the experiences and reflections of doctoral students in social work at a Canadian university who were mentored in the development of teaching expertise, including course design, delivery and evaluation, by a senior faculty member. Recommendations to others who are considering engaging in doctoral student teaching mentorship are presented. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the authors’ reflections on their experiences of doctoral student mentorship through their involvement in collaboratively designing, teaching and evaluating an online undergraduate course. The inquiry used a qualitative approach grounded in Schon’s concept of reflexive learning. Findings Based on the results of the thematic analysis of the mentees’ reflections, this paper presents the collaborative teaching mentorship model and discusses how receiving mentorship in teaching facilitated the mentees’ development as social work educators. Originality/value Although quality guidelines in social work education recommend that doctoral students should be adequately prepared for future teaching opportunities, there is limited discussion about doctoral student development as educators within the academic literature, especially from the perspective of doctoral students. There is also limited articulation of specific models of doctoral student mentorship in developing teaching expertise. The authors hope that sharing their reflections on their experiences and describing the collaborative teaching mentorship model will serve to deepen understandings and promote further exploration and development of doctoral student mentorship in teaching.Item Evolving from student to teacher: insights from the Conversation Café on doctoral student mentorship(2019) Azulai, Anna; Fulton, Amy; Walsh, Christine A.; Gulbrandsen, Carolyn; Tong, HongmeiMentorship has been proposed as a key process for preparing doctoral students as effective educators. However, few models have been described in-depth. To address this challenge, four social work doctoral graduates and one senior faculty member shared their insights drawing on their study on collaborative teaching mentorship, reflecting on their mentorship experiences and inviting feedback from the conference audience in the Conversation Café forum. The resultant discussion supported findings from our research and reinforced that more systematic and reflective efforts are needed to adequately prepare doctoral students for future teaching responsibilities. Specific strategies are summarized.Item How do regulated nurse professionals in Alberta assess geriatric depression in residential care facilities?(2019) Azulai, Anna; Walsh, Christine A.Although geriatric depression is a prevalent, serious, and under-recognized mental health condition in residential care facilities, there is a dearth of related research in Canada. This exploratory mixed methods study examines the perspectives and practices of regulated nurse professionals on assessment of geriatric depression in residential care facilities in Alberta. Findings from the quantitative surveys (n = 635) and qualitative interviews (n = 14) suggest that geriatric depression is not systematically assessed in these care settings due to multiple challenges, including confusing assessment protocol, inconsistent use and contested clinical utility of current assessment methods in facilities, limited availability of mental health professionals in facilities, and the varied views of regulated nurse professionals on who is responsible for depression assessment in facilities. Implications and future research directions are discussedItem Research reflections: student experiences of a systematic literature review on social care strategies for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic(2022) Baluyot, Beverly Michel; Azulai, AnnaThere is currently no research that synthesizes, analyzes, and evaluates studies that looked into social care strategies in geriatric residential care settings in Canada. Funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), this systematic review aims to examine emerging evidence on social care strategies in residential care since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will identify current research gaps to provide recommendations for social workers and other professionals on future directions for social care for older adults, living in residential care settings. Conducting a systematic review requires time management, teamwork, and effective communication skills. Systematic reviews also follow a distinct and rigorous process. The presentation will focus on our experiences and learning as undergraduate research assistants in conducting a systematic literature review. We will also provide a status report of the research progress since August 2021.