Health Practice Shifts Base to Community
Public Health Social Workers Are in a 'Unique Place'
Changes have brought about a new emphasis on community-based
care.
By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff
 |
| Illustration: John Michael
Yanson |
Social work is a dynamic, changing field. Among many changes
in the profession, one major shift has been the move from health-related
social work that is focused on traditional, hospital-based care
to practice that is more community based and linked to public
health paradigms.
This shift has come about for a number of reasons. Managed care
has made a big impact on treatment and the role of social workers.
In the mental health arena, a strong movement changed the pattern
of psychiatric hospitalization. And as society has changed, a
focus on interdisciplinary, community-based care has emerged.
Changes in health care. Betty Ruth is the director of
Boston University's dual-degree program in social work and public
health. She explained that there have been significant changes
in the health care field that have altered the role of social
workers. These changes have brought about a new emphasis on community-based
care, short-term interventions, prevention and health promotion.
"Part of what I'm talking about is the entire transformation
that's gone on as we've moved to managed care," Ruth said.
"The emphasis on managed care [results in] the need for us
to really be able to talk about program outcomes, to talk about
the evidence base for the work we're doing, to be able to suggest
that our interventions are meaningful," Ruth explained.
Click here for full story…>
>
From April 2006 NASW News. © 2006 National
Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News
articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of
copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies
made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising,
promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.
|
About
NASW