Health
People with medical illnesses often have related problems. They
may need help re-establishing their routines once they arrive home
from the hospital or they may have trouble paying their bills. Families
who lose a loved one may need counseling to process their grief,
and those with hereditary conditions may need help sorting through
their fears and concerns about the future.
Social workers play a key role in all of these health-related areas
and more. In fact, a large percentage of the nation’s social
workers work in medical settings—20% practice in hospitals,
for example, and 12% in medical clinics. Social workers also work
in hospices, health maintenance organizations, nursing homes and
health organizations like the American Cancer Society and the America
Lung Association.
Social workers use a wide range of skills in all of these settings,
employing both a family and a systems-oriented approach to psychosocial
care. They provide counseling, help families develop strengths and
resources, and run programs for patients who have diseases such as
AIDS and heart disease. They play an advocacy role as well: One social
worker in New York, for example, developed a radio program aimed
at informing people about how to prevent eating disorders.
The long and prestigious history of social workers working in the
health care system dates back to 1905, when social work advocate
Ida M. Cannon launched the first hospital social work department
at Massachusetts General Hospital. Even then, hospital officials
acknowledged that patients needed help making a smooth transition
from the hospital to the community. This remains an important role
for today’s social workers, who serve as case managers or “discharge
planners” who ease the transition from hospital to home.
The following case of a man considering a heart transplant is a
good example of how social workers use their skills to create the
best possible outcome for medical patients and their families.
Gail is a social worker in Palo Alto, Calif., who is assigned to
the case of
Mr. Hunt, a 64-year-old man from Boise, Idaho, who needs a new heart in order
to live. Gail must address several important areas with Mr. Hunt and his family.
First, she is part of the team that determines if he is an appropriate candidate
for a transplant—a delicate and complicated operation that requires a
good deal of aftercare. She assessed whether he could handle the stress of
the operation by determining if he tends to comply with medical instructions
and whether he has a strong support system.
Once she determined that he was a good candidate, Gail helped Mr.
Hunt and his wife cope with the long waiting period that is common
in transplant situations. She provided counseling as well as practical
information about what to expect from the surgery. Because the Hunts
are from out of town, Gail also helped to locate local housing and
transportation. She kept in touch with their daughters in Idaho to
make sure everyone was prepared for the Hunts’ return. Finally,
when a heart became available, Mr. Hunt went in for a successful
round of surgery. The Hunts returned to Boise with renewed hope,
thanks largely to Gail’s efforts.
www.socialworkers.org/health.asp
www.helpstartshere.org/Health_And_Wellness/Default_Page.html
References:
- Gibelman, M. (1995). What Social Workers Do (4th ed.).
Washington, DC. NASW Press.
- NASW (2000) Social Work Speaks (5th ed.).
Washington, DC NASW Press.
|
