Search

This conversation explores emerging debates concerning teaching to and about marginalized populations often left out of "representative" data sets. Based on our experiences studying, teaching, and belonging to some of these unrepresented populations, we outline some strategies sociologists may use to transform the limitations of data sets traditionally labeled as "representative" into tools for delivering core sociological concepts. In so doing, we argue that sociologists may respond to increasing critiques of "representative" data by using these critiques to facilitate critical thinking skills and methodological awareness among students. In closing, we encourage sociologists to consider the challenges and opportunities presented by increasing awareness of unrepresented populations within our classrooms and the broader social world.

This article discusses the potential of personalizing sociology curriculum, specifically in Medical Sociology courses, to increase student engagement and sociological awareness. Based on our experiences offering separate Medical Sociology courses at a large public research university and a small private teaching university, respectively, we outline emotional techniques we have each employed--separately and together--in our classes to facilitate student engagement, critical awareness, and medical coming out processes in our classrooms. In so doing, we have both built highly successful and popular Medical Sociology courses where students learn about and engage with the interpersonal and emotional effects of health care systems, structures, and patterned disparities. Throughout this article, we use our experiences as a case for facilitating debate concerning the incorporation of personal and emotional biography into sociological teaching and provide questions that may facilitate such conversation. In closing, we encourage sociologists to reflect upon, consider, and debate the usefulness of incorporating personal and emotional biographies into the curriculum.

The African-American Alzheimer's Caregiver Training and Support Project 2 (ACTS 2) is a faith-integrated, skills-training and support program for distressed African American family caregivers of persons living with dementia across Florida. Caregivers participate in a 12-week, telephone-based, skillsbuilding and support program led by faith community workers (i.e., lay pastoral care facilitators) who provide volunteer services to their denominations. In this case study, we examined facilitators' perspectives and recommendations for supplementary audiovisual and written training materials to optimize group process and goal-setting skills. Utilizing a qualitative approach, we explored facilitators' needs, experiences in using current training materials, and recommendations for supplementary education. Data were collected through a telephone-based, focus group interview with nine ACTS 2 facilitators deploying grounded theory techniques. We identified six themes: personal reflections on facilitator roles and responsibilities, satisfaction with existing written materials, desire for supplementary audiovisual training materials, desire for additional training on data management and reporting, importance of peer support, and fostering a faith-integrated culture within the program. Our findings underscore the importance of engaging African American faith communities in fostering dementia caregiving skills training and support. We further highlight the implications of providing community-based training for African American facilitators to foster caregiver emotional well-being and physical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionTransgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) older adults experience significant behavioral health and healthcare disparities. Facilitators that contribute to positive behavioral healthcare experiences among this population, however, remain uncertain. In this study, we investigate facilitators contributing to positive or satisfactory behavioral healthcare experiences among a sample of TGNC older adults in the United States (US).Between September 2021 and January 2022, the first author conducted 47 semi-structured, individual interviews with TGNC adults aged 65 years or over in the US. Using an inductive grounded theory approach, we examined respondents’ positive or satisfactory experiences with accessing and utilizing behavioral health services, support, and resources. Analyses were conducted using NVivo (Release 1.6) software.Findings underscore the importance of addressing the specific or unique needs of TGNC older patients to promote positive or satisfactory experiences in behavioral healthcare. Three themes emerged: (1) engaging with behavioral healthcare practitioners who offer compassionate, patient-centered care; (2) accessing and utilizing culturally tailored peer-support groups; and (3) receiving equitable access to gender-affirming care and social services.These findings highlight opportunities for expanding and incorporating these identified facilitators into behavioral healthcare research and practice, especially when promoting gender affirmation in care for TGNC older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities worldwide, this novel disease is leaving many survivors with severe lung damage. Among older patients, advanced lung damage is more likely. Survivors of all ages who have extensive lung impacts are likely to be new to managing those issues. Supporting healthy aging for these patients will require both gathering data about their unique experiences and using the existing evidence basis about adapting to managing obstructive lung disease. This article outlines key priorities for research with COVID-19 survivors aging with permanent lung damage and highlights unique considerations for people older at age of onset. It also outlines the relevance of findings from this research for clinical care supporting people newly aging with advanced lung disease from COVID-19. In the process, it summarizes lessons from established patient populations aging with progressive lung disease—using cystic fibrosis as a prominent example from the author's lived experience—that may enhance the experiences of older COVID-19 survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transgender and non-binary people experience erasure, stigma, and discrimination in sexual and reproductive health care. Previous research shows worse sexual and reproductive health outcomes and higher rates of chronicity for trans and non-binary populations as compared to cisgender populations. Historically such outcomes have been framed as separate issues. Aims: To describe methodological approaches for exploring gaps in the sexual and reproductive health care of transgender and non-binary people, and explore intersections between chronic disease management and gender-affirming care. Methods: We critically reviewed methods for studying sexual and reproductive care and chronic condition management among trans and non-binary populations. We focus on two themes: unmet needs and response strategies. Results: We summarize findings and opportunities in existing research about service needs in trans and non-binary care. Key barriers to effective sexual and reproductive care for trans and non-binary people include persistent medical myths about trans people and bodies, siloization of different domains of health and associated services, lack of research on how chronic disease treatments interact with transition related care, and lack of active communication between providers and patients about individual care needs and goals. Discussion: We recommend methodologically diverse research with trans and non-binary populations capturing: (1) erasure, stigma, and discrimination in sexual and reproductive health care settings; (2) individual, interpersonal, and structural factors catalyzing chronicity; and (3) the impact of sexual and reproductive health disparities on chronic disease outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay offers some ways quantitative sociology may embrace increasing scholarly and public recognition of sexual and gender diversity. Specifically, we suggest that increasing (1) public awareness and debate concerning sexual and gender fluidity, (2) calls for sociologists to become engaged in public debates, and (3) awareness of gender and sexual nuances underlying the majority of social phenomena create an opportunity for quantitative sociology to begin answering longstanding calls for more empirically grounded measurements of sexualities and gender. To this end, we use our experiences designing quantitative measurements of sexual and gender diversity to provide options for quantitative sociology to better capture the empirical complexity of gender and sexuality within the contemporary world by expanding gender options on survey instruments and expanding sexual identification methods on survey instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the success of community-based participatory research [CBPR] in engaging African American women to achieve health equity by elucidating community, trust, communication and impact. Recommendations helpful for researchers interested in engaging communities to achieve health equity in the USA are included.Inroduction: African American women experience health disparities of multifactorial etiology and are underrepresented in research. CBPR is a collaborative approach that incorporates perspectives, which address the intricate determinants of health and has been reported as an effective means to address health disparities. Yet, the science of CBPR seems elusive to researchers in the medical field. The opportunity exists to better understand and expand the use of the principles of engagement, replication, and sustainability in engaging African American women in health research.Methods: A variety of literature regarding engaging African American women in community-based participatory research was reviewed.Results: CBPR focused on robust engagement of marginalized groups continues to be validated as a vital approach to the elimination of disparities and improved health for all, especially ethnic and racial minority populations. However, limited evidence of focused engagement of African American women was found. Making specific outreach to African American women must be a community and patient engagement priority to achieve health equity.Conclusions: Continued research is needed which specifically focuses on building and sustaining engagement with African American women and their communities. This research can transform healthcare access, experiences and outcomes by yielding actionable information about what African American women need and want to promote wellness for themselves and their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored palliation practices and experiences among providers at university campus health centers to assess the availability and viability of non-opioid options for student patients. We interviewed 10 healthcare providers at the campus health center for a large research university in the southeastern United States. Data were collected via semistructured interviews. Analyses of interview transcripts were performed via content analysis with open coding. We identified multiple barriers to non-opioid pain management. Non-opioid modalities were more likely to receive no insurance subsidy, and thus, to go unused even if clinically indicated. Providers also reported high levels of concern with potential opioid dependency, as well as interest in safer options for long-term palliation. Contextualizing results from our case study with prior literature from other care settings suggests that lack of access to non-opioid options presents challenges for university students who live with chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this autoethnography, I outline a framework for understanding illness as deviance, contextualizing general sociological theory on sick role dynamics to the specific case of chronic conditions that manifest with visible physical differences. I demonstrate two distinct ways in which chronic conditions can foster labeling and stigma. First, I explore how social norms can result in sanctions for showing physical evidence of chronic conditions. I describe sanctions I have experienced for violating conventional ideas about youth and female beauty, and associated behavioral expectations. Second, I explore how double jeopardy can result from failing to meet usual social expectations for sickness. I describe sanctions I have experienced for violating ideas of what abilities a person with a chronic illness should possess, and how they should behave in relation. I conclude by illuminating how normative social discourse can simultaneously sensationalize and efface people with visible chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]