Growing concern regarding the comprehensive and quality care of older adults from the perspective of social work has led to the need to understand how and which Information and Communication Techno...

This pioneering study in Spain in this specific area of knowledge, social work and social services, is framed around the incorporation of Virtual Reality (VR) in the social work teaching-learning process using 360º videos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to the impossibility of face-to-face interaction, in order to put theory into practice, a VR simulation application—the Innovation Social Work App (iSWAPP) – was developed (intellectual property registration number 04/2021/491). In order to study the factors that determine the predisposition of social work students to use VR as a complementary pedagogical tool in the theory-practice learning process to acquire professional skills, a quantitative analysis was performed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The study was performed in May 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic with a sample comprising 42 social work undergraduates at the University of Cádiz. The most significant results were the opportunities and potential of VR in the teaching-learning process, especially in teaching practice. The conclusions of the study show that 360° VR enables progress to be made in response to the structural need to build positive bidirectional synergies between theory and practice in social work in order to improve the quality of professional intervention.

In an interconnected world, loneliness is paradoxically emerging as a growing threat to health, is associated with an increased likelihood of illness, and is becoming one of the most frequent causes of death among older adults. Experts from various disciplines have identified the pressing need to address this phenomenon and see technology as a powerful ally in facing the challenge. Through technological innovations in communication and connectivity, solutions are being explored to mitigate loneliness and foster social inclusion. This study aims to comprehensively and methodically analyze and systematize previous research on loneliness focusing on the effectiveness of various information and communication technology solutions aimed at mitigating feelings of loneliness in older adults over 65 from a social work perspective. The results confirm that older adults who participate in prevention and/or intervention programs against loneliness supported by information and communication technology report positive differences. However, although levels of loneliness are reduced compared to levels at the beginning of the intervention, they are never eliminated.

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the well-being experience of home care workers regardless of the service management model. It also aims to analyze their emotional experiences of their activity and working conditions. Design/methodology/approach: This study, using a mixed qualitative and quantitative analysis, allows a combined analysis for a better understanding of the well-being experience of home care workers. Findings: Home care workers experience intrinsic job satisfaction and demonstrate this with positive emotions regardless of their work situation. Practical implications: Caring for the carer should be a business value. Measures oriented toward workers’ comfort generate greater happiness and commitment, which is automatically transferred to the quality of the care provided and reduces the psychosocial risks of their professional activity. Social implications: Visualizing the social reality of an essential profession through research generates verifiable evidence that will help to improve the working conditions of home care workers in Spain. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this pioneering study in Spain introduces a greater understanding of how home care workers in Spain experience their work reality.

Introducción. El emprendimiento social está unido al Trabajo Social desde sus orígenes como respuesta creativa a las situaciones de malestar. El objetivo es mostrar los resultados sobre la percepción que el alumnado tiene sobre la empatía, la creatividad y el emprendimiento social en Trabajo Social, así como las sinergias que se producen entre ellas, para empoderar el emprendimiento social como competencia transversal en los estudiantes del grado de Trabajo Social de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid durante el curso 2016/2017. Materiales y métodos. Se realizaron cuatro grupos de discusión con 33 alumnos de cuarto curso del grado de Trabajo Social con una media de edad de 22 años. El análisis de discurso se realizó con Nvivo©11, a partir de 8 preguntas relacionadas con cuatro dimensiones: empatía, creatividad, emprendimiento social y Trabajo Social. Resultados. La percepción que tiene el alumnado sobre el emprendimiento social en Trabajo Social es que es necesario, lo unen a la creatividad y la empatía como habilidades sociales claves que diferencian al Trabajo Social del resto de profesiones. Conclusiones. El emprendimiento social como competencia general que se ha de visualizar en las asignaturas específicas del grado de Trabajo Social. Así mismo, el aprendizaje del emprendimiento social en Trabajo Social ha de estar reforzado por la investigación en el área de intervención, que va a contribuir a la creación de alternativas reales de apertura e inclusión profesional; mejorándose el posicionamiento de Trabajo Social como disciplina académica y profesional.