Browsing by Subject "Volunteerism"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Can Life Experiences Predict Readiness for Residency? A Family Medicine Residency's Analysis
    (Sage, 2021-11-24) Busha, Michael E.; McMillen, Brock; Greene, Jeffrey; Gibson, Kristine; Channell, Adam; Ziemkowski, Peter; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background: Program directors for Family Medicine residencies must navigate an increasingly complex recruitment landscape. With increasing United States allopathic and osteopathic graduates and continued high volumes of international graduates, the ability to identify application characteristics that predict quality residents both for filtering applications for interview offers and ranking is vital. Our study concentrates on the predictive value of reported life experiences including volunteerism, work experiences, prior career, research experience, and participation in medical student organizations including student leadership. Methods: Through a retrospective cohort study, we extracted the described life experiences from resident application materials. We then obtained initial clinical performance data on the Family Medicine inpatient service during the first six months of residency to determine readiness for residency. This analysis occurred in 2020 and included all matriculants in the graduating classes of 2013 through 2020 for a single residency. Of 110 matriculating residents, data were available for 97(88%). Results: Applicants with a history of a prior career demonstrated improved overall readiness for residency with competency domain-specific advantages in Interpersonal and Communication Skills and Systems-Based Practice. In contrast, applicants reporting participation in research performed below peers in all competency domains. Applicant reports on volunteerism, work experience, academic productivity and student involvement did not correlate with initial clinical performance. Conclusions: Residency directors should recognize applicants with prior careers as likely having strong communications and systems-based practice skills. All other examined experiences should be evaluated within the context of broader applicant assessments including research experience which overall has a potential negative correlation to clinical readiness.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploration of Perceived Psychosocial Benefits of Senior Companion Program Participation Among Urban-Dwelling, Low-Income Older Adult Women Volunteers
    (Oxford University Press, 2018-07-12) Hood, Sula; Lu, Yvonne Yueh-Feng; Jenkins, Kristen; Brown, Ellen R.; Beaven, Joyce; Brown, Steve A.; Hendrie, Hugh C.; Austrom, Mary Guerriero; Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health
    Background: As the older adult population increases, it is imperative to increase older adults' opportunities for social involvement, thus maintaining their important roles and contributions to society. While there are known health-related benefits of volunteerism among older adults, a dearth of information exists on the perceived benefits of volunteerism among low-income and ethnic minority older adults. Purpose: To understand the perceived psychosocial benefits of volunteering in the Senior Companion Program and to present findings of focus groups conducted with urban-dwelling, low-income older adult women volunteers. Design and Methods: Inductive content analysis and the Dedoose qualitative data analysis software were used for analyzing data obtained from 59 older adult women Senior Companions who participated in nine focus groups. Results: Content analyses of the focus group transcripts identified four major themes: (1) Reducing social isolation; (2) Improving quality of life; (3) Finding purpose and meaning; and (4) Increasing understanding of aging. The majority of our participants (81%) were African American women, with a mean age of 70 years. Approximately 83.1% had completed high school and 62.7% lived below the poverty line. Discussion and Implications: Findings provided data rich in descriptions of positive psychosocial outcomes, finding meaning and purpose, and a better understanding of aging in urban-dwelling, low-income older women volunteers. The findings also provide support for the need for policies and programs that promote civic engagement in this population.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Growing Through Philanthropy
    (Lexham Press, 2022) Herzog, Patricia Snell; Goodwin, Jamie
    This chapter highlights the historical and contemporary connections between philanthropy and religious practice. Religious engagement is positively correlated with higher levels of charitable giving and volunteerism. Declining religious affiliation among emerging adults is linked to decreased philanthropic activity. The authors propose teaching philanthropy as a means to aid emerging adults in meaning-making and social engagement. Two undergraduate courses are described: “Giving and Volunteering in America” and “Philanthropy and the Social Sciences.” These courses employ critical pedagogical frameworks and emphasize experiential learning. Tips for teaching include recognizing the diversity of experiences among emerging adults; adapting philanthropic approaches to align with young people’s preferences for hands-on involvement and cause-oriented giving; using philanthropy as a potential bridge for reengagement with religion; and acknowledging the link between religious belief and giving behavior. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the potential of philanthropic engagement to help emerging adults find meaning and purpose, while also highlighting the continued importance of religion in shaping generous behaviors and social responsibility.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Physiological correlates of volunteering: health, neurology, hormones, and genetics
    (2014-04-08) Bekkers, Rene; Konrath, Sara H.; Smith, David H.
    We review the evidence on physiological correlates of volunteering, a neglected but promising field of research. Volunteers are in better health, both self-reported and assessed, and perform better on cognitive tasks. Research thus far has not examined neurological, neurochemical, hormonal and genetic correlates of volunteering. Studies on charitable giving suggest that these physiological characteristics are related to volunteering, including specific genes (such as OXTR genes, AVPR genes, DRD4, 5HTTLPR). We recommend that future research is extended to nonwestern populations, focuses specifically on volunteering, and differentiates between forms of volunteering.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Research reveals approaches to retain volunteers
    (2015-09-29) Walk, Marlene