Socialno delo, Vol. 42 (2003), Part 1
ARTICLES
Sociological Aspects of the Role and Position of Nurses in Slovenia: A Case Study - 1, (Abstract)
The Significance of Qualitative Methods in the Evaluation of Voluntary Projects: A Case of Project Evaluation - 19, (Abstract)
Abstracts
Maja Klančnik Gruden
Sociological Aspects of the Role and Position of Nurses in Slovenia: A Case Study
The paper is an analysis of the position of nurses (health technicians) and their experience of caring work in a hospital ward. The findings are based on a qualitative research - a case study, carried out in the Angiology Department of the Ljubljana Medical Centre. In-depth interviews and fieldwork confirmed that the caring work performed by nurses is similar to the work done by women in traditional families. The ward may be compared to the traditional family residence, the patient taking the role of the child, the nurse the role of the housewife who brings things to order, and the doctor the role of the master, the father who supervises the working process. The interviews show that the passive caring role attributed to women by socially constructed sexual ideologies has not satisfied the nurses. An additional factor that contributes to the lack of job satisfaction in the nurses is the nature of the ward, which has certain resemblances to the 'total' institution. Working with seriously affected patients causes anxiety. Nurses do not have enough knowledge and support to deal with such feelings, as the organisation of health-care service promotes the development of their defence mechanisms, based mainly on evasion, rather than a constructive confrontation with problems or personal and professional growth.
Keywords: caring work, women's professions, total institution, anxiety.
Maja Klančnik Gruden, M.A., has graduated from health education and works in the Ljubljana Medical Centre Angiology Department.
Liljana Rihter
The Significance of Qualitative Methods in the Evaluation of Voluntary Projects: A Case of Project Evaluation
Qualitative methodology in evaluation research has long been, and still are, the object of positivist researchers' criticism. Yet the need for qualitative research has stimulated a pragmatic approach that does not insist upon the presupposition that there is only one regular research method, but calls for the choice of method with regard to the researched problem. On the basis of voluntary project evaluation at Velenje Educational Centre, the author finds qualitative methodology particularly suitable for work process evaluation, for the evaluation of (un)intentional consequences, and for the evaluation of achievement from the point of view of volunteers. Finally, several suggestions are given for the increase of qualitative evaluation reliability. The author concludes that the stimulation of qualitative strategies of evaluation is needed in order to get a more complete picture of a project.
Keywords: qualitative research, choice of methodology, research paradigm.
Liljana Rihter, M.A., is junior assistant lecturer at University of Ljubljana School of Social Work.
Žarko Tepavčević
Family and Leisure Time
Leisure time is a common interest of the family, the focus of interaction and an opportunity for the testing and development of new family relationships. The leisure time activities that include the whole family improve inter-personal relations to a higher degree than the activities that only include part of the family. Changes in the structure of the family and in the definition of individual roles are reflected in changes in how they spend their leisure time. The living conditions have a major impact upon its active spending, amongst them in particular the socio-economical position of the family. If the living conditions improve, so does the quality of spending leisure time, which is extremely important for the health and the quality of life of individuals, families and societies.
Keywords: family relationships, living conditions, quality of life.
Žarko Tepavčević, M.A., is a social worker, employed as a family counsellor at the Centre of Social Work Ljubljana-Šiška.