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To test the validity of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale in a sample of Romanian social workers, registered social workers (N = 533) completed an online cross-sectional survey administered between November 2016-April 2017. Limitations of the original three-scale ProQOL model were found, indicating that the problems manifested only in the burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) subscales of the ProQOL which showed a high degree of overlap. Following successive exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to test construct validity, the best model supported by the data is a model with two factors: compassion fatigue (CF), consisting of 10 items belonging to the original scales BO and STS and compassion satisfaction (CS) (composed of all original items). In addition to the separate CS and CF scores, we propose a new computed score that describes the ratio between satisfaction and fatigue (Psychological balance). Its high values (> 1) indicate a positive psychological ratio, while the low values (, Author(s): Florin Lazar [sup.1] , Daniela Gaba [sup.1] , Shari Munch [sup.2] , Adrian Luca [sup.1] [sup.3] , Anca Mihai [sup.1] , Georgiana Cristina Rentea [sup.1] , Marian Popa [sup.1] [...]

The article is an editorial from the Social Work Review, discussing the theme of social work in uncertain times. It highlights the impact of events such as the pandemic, war in Ukraine, and earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on the social work profession. The editorial mentions that social workers are on the front line in responding to and finding sustainable solutions for social problems during extraordinary collective events. The issue contains articles on various topics, including social protection for different categories of people and social work practice. Most of the articles focus on the Romanian context but are accessible to any reader interested in the discussed issues. [Extracted from the article]

Résumé: Objectif: Ce travail visait à déterminer les critères de limitation anticipée de transfert en réanimation (LATR) des patients hospitalisés en gériatrie aigüe. Méthode: Cette étude rétrospective, réalisée sur 10 mois, concernait des sujets d'âge ≥ 75 ans hospitalisés en gériatrie aigüe et réparties en 2 groupes selon qu'une LATR était retenue ou non. Résultats: Ont été inclus 906 patients âgés dont 446 sans LATR. Les analyses univariées montraient une corrélation entre la LATR et un score au Mini Mental Status < 20/30 tandis que la dénutrition n'impactait pas la décision de LATR. En analyse multivariée, les facteurs associés à une LATR étaient l'âge ≥ 85 ans, une hospitalisation durant les 6 derniers mois (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1,72 ; Intervalle de Confiance (IC) 95% [1,23-2,39]), la vie en institution (OR = 1,93 ; IC95% [1,18-3,16]) et l'existence d'escarre(s) (OR = 2,44 ; IC95% [1,20-4,98]). Un score de Charlson nul était associé à l'absence de LATR (OR = 0,42 ; IC95% [0,26-0,67]). Conclusion: Si certains critères sont partagés entre gériatres, réanimateurs et urgentistes, d'autres divergent, illustrant l'hétérogénéité des pratiques. Objective: Because of heterogeneity of the elderly population and medical practices, the decision of admission of elderly patients (EP) in intensive care unit is more complex. This study aimed to determine the decision criteria for an early limitation of transfer in intensive care unit (ELTICU) of patients hospitalized in an acute geriatric unit. Methods: This retrospective study included, over a 10-month period, patients ≥75 years and hospitalized in an acute geriatric unit. They were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not an ELTICU decision was taken. Results: In total, 906 EP were included among them 446 with no ELTICU decision. Univariate analysis showed a correlation between ELTICU and a Mini Mental Status score of less than 20/30. Malnutrition had no impact on ELTICU decision. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with an ELTICU decision were an age ≥ 85 years, an hospitalization in the last 6 months (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.72, Confidence Interval (CI) 95% [1.23-2.39]), life in a nursing home (OR = 1.93, 95% CI [1.18-3.16]) and the presence of bedsore(s) (OR = 2.44, 95% CI [1.20-4.98]). A null Charlson score was associated with the absence of an ELTICU decision (OR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.26-0.67]). Conclusion: Some criteria are shared between geriatricians, resuscitators and emergency physicians, while others are discordant, illustrating differences in physicians' practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forecasts concerning the impact of climate change include an increase in extreme flooding. According to 2019 International Disasters Database, EM-DAT, between 1990 and 2019 Romania was the country with the highest number of disasters caused by flooding in the European Union (EU) (Mihai, 2019). Therefore, it can be estimated that the risk of flooding, and other climate-related hazards, will increase; the manner in which socioeconomical activities are implemented will be affected. One of the measures to reduce the risk of flooding is green infrastructure (GI). GI contributes to the protection of biodiversity and also to meeting the objectives of the European Green Deal launched at the end of 2019. Green infrastructure projects refer to integrated and planned actions which focus on restoring/creating natural spaces which provide ecosystem services (European Commission, 2019a). In the European Union and beyond, green infrastructure projects which protect against flooding were implemented. These have many other benefits; not only do they protect against environmental risks and stimulate biodiversity, they allow for the construction of spaces for relaxation, exercising and spending time outdoors, they maintain the clean air, allow for water recycling and provide opportunities for the creation of new jobs. At the level of the other member states there are many initiatives which may serve as good practice models to Romania. Using the analysis of documents as a sociological method, I present four case studies from four EU countries that are described as good practices by experts from the European Green Capital Award. I highlight the relationship between green infrastructure and reducing the risk of flooding. Romania, as a member of the EU, has the tools and opportunity to learn from the experience of other EU member states and develop similar projects, with positive effects for inhabitants and low costs compared to grey infrastructure (O'Donnell et al., 2017). Taking into consideration the causes of the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, green infrastructure measures are needed for creating and maintaining sustainable ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses the topics include Role of Social Work in the 2020s; rising economic inequalities; and demographic aging.

An editorial, is presented on how social workers need to adjust to the current social reality and support individuals, families, communities and other forms of groups to make the best decisions for an uncertain future. Topics include managing risk and professional dilemmas in our professional practice, i.e., conducting assessments and making difficult decisions; and meet professional standards while supporting service users who manifest various behaviors, emotions and vulnerabilities.

With a history of almost 90 years, professional social work in Romania once flourished up until World War II. The Communist Party disbanded the profession in 1968 and it was reinstated after the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989. Within the context of the socio-economic transition from a centralised to a free-market economy, Romanian social policy and social work have evolved from a Marxist/socialist-type ideology, one that advocates for state intervention, to a libertarian/neo-liberal-type ideology, which promotes both state withdrawal from welfare provision and individuals taking responsibility for their own welfare. These two trends continue to co-exist subject to sometimes divergent forces such as international institutions and internal Romanian social pressures. Using a qualitative approach, we explore how Romanian social workers are adapting to the neo-liberal realities and identify three types of perceived challenges: 1. those related to regulation, 2. linked with collaboration in social work activity and 3. those related to the social worker-client relationship. Under neo-liberal pressures, the social worker's role of agent of social change becomes marginalised in daily practice, leaving little power to influence agency policies that negatively impact clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article uses as a starting point a recent debate in Romanian society following the separation of the five children of a half-Romanian family by the child protection services in Norway to compare the Romanian and Norwegian child welfare systems. Legislative analysis underlines the striking simmilarities between the two countries, with some differences in the implementation. The concluding part argues for the need of a culturally competent practice of social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]