Defining the role of the hospital social worker in Australia

Abstract

English This study used qualitative methods to explore the role of the hospital social worker, providing further meaning to quantitative results reported in the first article. Findings revealed that social workers performed various tasks under the umbrella of discharge planning. Social workers' unique approach to patient care with its emphasis on self-determination often causes conflict with other medical professionals who tend to be directive. French Cette étude a utilisé des méthodes qualitatives pour explorer le rôle des travailleurs sociaux en milieu hospitalier fournissant davantage du sens aux résultats quantitatifs déjà documenté. Les résultats indiquent que les travailleurs sociaux ont accompli de diverses taªches sous la rubrique de la planification des sorties. L'approche favorisé par les travailleurs sociaux mettant l'accent sur l'autodétermination, crée souvent des conflits avec d'autres professionnels de la santé qui ont tendance à utiliser une approche plutôt directive. Spanish Este estudio utilizó métodos cualitativos para explorar el rol del trabajador social hospitalario, ofreciendo nuevos significados a los recientes resultados cualitativos reportados. Los hallazgos revelaron que los trabajadores sociales llevaron a cabo varias tareas bajo el paraguas de la planeación de las altas. El único acercamiento de los trabajadores sociales, para el cuidado de los pacientes, con énfasis en la determinación personal, a menudo ocasiona conflicto con otros profesionales médicos quienes tienden a ser directivos.

The impact of personal injury motor vehicle incidents: the development of adverse stress reactions

“…Interventions can include a host of different services such as linking individuals and families with available community resources and supports, providing therapeutic services, supportive counseling and grief counseling, completing discharge planning, helping an individual to expand and strengthen their network of social supports, or engaging in crisis intervention (Bauer et al, 2005;14 Canadian Association of Social Work, 2003;Davis et al, 2004;Marino, Weinman, & Soudelier, 2001). Interventions represent another role of social workers working in primary health care settings.…”

“…The social worker is responsible for coordinating and documenting the development of the service plan with the individual's participation (Derezotes, 2000;Heinonen & Spearman, 2001;Turner, 2002). Ideally, the development of the service plan will include the involvement of other health care professionals and a general agreement on the roles or function that each profession will undertake in working with the individual (Davis et al, 2004).…”

“…Social workers provide information on resources, both formal and informal, available to the individual and provide the family with emotional support and education on skills and coping (Davis et al, 2004;Marino, Weinman, & Soudelier, 2001). Social workers have a unique and valuable role in primary health care as they provide information on community resources and supports to individuals and families (Davis et al, 2004;Marino, Weinman, & Soudelier, 2001).…”

“…Social workers have a unique and valuable role in primary health care as they provide information on community resources and supports to individuals and families (Davis et al, 2004;Marino, Weinman, & Soudelier, 2001). Appropriate referrals represent an important contribution to individual and family health and 15 social well being (Sands, 2000 as cited in Bentley, Walsh, & Farmer, 2005) and it has been suggested that prompt and timely referrals may even be connected to the prevention of unnecessary suffering for many clients (Ross & Hardy, 1999 as cited in Bentley, Walsh, & Farmer, 2005).…”

“…Social workers counsel clients in order to help them develop insight, problem solve, deal with emotional pain, or enhance relationships with the goal of improving overall health and social well being (Heinonen & Spearman, 2001;Shebib, 2003). They also work to provide information on available resources, coping strategies, and information and education to the individual with the goal of promoting positive change (Davis et al, 2004;Marino, Weinman, & Soudelier, 2001). It should be noted that in most cases counseling in primary health care is provided in conjunction with interventions that address practical issues such as employment, housing, or financial issues (Rushton & Beaumont, 2002).…”