Social Work In Health Social Work In Health CareCare

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Introduction Introduction Social services are needed in a hospital Social services are needed in a hospital

because:because: All of the patient’s needs are important.All of the patient’s needs are important. Patients require financial help.Patients require financial help. Social service workers create important links to the Social service workers create important links to the

community.community. The American Hospital Association reports they The American Hospital Association reports they

have social work services in 75% of their have social work services in 75% of their hospitals.hospitals.

Medicine and social work joined hands for the Medicine and social work joined hands for the first time at Massachusetts General Hospital in first time at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1905.1905.

Introduction Introduction

15 % of the United States’ gross national 15 % of the United States’ gross national product was spent on health care in l998.product was spent on health care in l998.

In l986 the number of health care social In l986 the number of health care social workers was 50,000.workers was 50,000.

The majority of health care social workers The majority of health care social workers practice in long-term care hospitals.practice in long-term care hospitals.

Definition of Social Work in Health Definition of Social Work in Health Care Care

Social work in health care settings is Social work in health care settings is practiced in collaboration with medicine practiced in collaboration with medicine and also with public health programs.and also with public health programs.

Social work addresses itself to illness Social work addresses itself to illness brought about by or related to social and brought about by or related to social and environmental stresses that result in environmental stresses that result in failures in social functioning and social failures in social functioning and social relationships.relationships.

HMO and Social WorkHMO and Social Work

One of the most important developments One of the most important developments for social workers in health care was the for social workers in health care was the Health Maintenance Organization Act of Health Maintenance Organization Act of l973.l973.

Originally the HMO Act required the Originally the HMO Act required the provision of social services in HMO’s.provision of social services in HMO’s.

This provision was later eliminated by This provision was later eliminated by several subsequent congressional actions.several subsequent congressional actions.

Social Work ServicesSocial Work Services Social workers in health care services use the Social workers in health care services use the

problem solving method in assisting individuals, problem solving method in assisting individuals, groups and communities in solving personal and groups and communities in solving personal and family health problems.family health problems.

Social work is involved at various levels of Social work is involved at various levels of prevention:prevention: Primary – health education, encouraging Primary – health education, encouraging

immunizations, good mental health practice in immunizations, good mental health practice in families, prenatal and postnatal care.families, prenatal and postnatal care.

Secondary – early screening programs for detection Secondary – early screening programs for detection of disease, checkups, encouraging treatment.of disease, checkups, encouraging treatment.

Tertiary or rehabilitation – preventing further Tertiary or rehabilitation – preventing further deterioration of a disease or problem.deterioration of a disease or problem.

The Meaning of Illness The Meaning of Illness Illness encompasses medical, social, economic Illness encompasses medical, social, economic

and even spiritual components.and even spiritual components. Broadly speaking, illness – impaired role Broadly speaking, illness – impaired role

function – may result from factors not wholly function – may result from factors not wholly organic, but social, psychological, cultural, and organic, but social, psychological, cultural, and economic.economic.

Illness can result in:Illness can result in: Forced dependencyForced dependency Disorganization of familyDisorganization of family Loss of self-respectLoss of self-respect Feelings of helplessnessFeelings of helplessness

Meaning of Illness Meaning of Illness

The increase in chronic disease among The increase in chronic disease among Americans has literally changed the Americans has literally changed the meaning of illness for a great many meaning of illness for a great many people.people.

People have to live with chronic disease, People have to live with chronic disease, adjust to pain, change habits- diet, quit adjust to pain, change habits- diet, quit smoking, exercise, and change smoking, exercise, and change employment.employment.

Meaning of IllnessMeaning of Illness

With chronic conditions – arthritis, heart disease, With chronic conditions – arthritis, heart disease, AIDS, some cancers – the patient must be a AIDS, some cancers – the patient must be a partner in the care of the disease, in its partner in the care of the disease, in its prevention and deterioration.prevention and deterioration.

By 1991 conservative estimates were that By 1991 conservative estimates were that 1,100,000 people around the globe had 1,100,000 people around the globe had developed AIDS.developed AIDS.

Social work comes into the picture in helping the Social work comes into the picture in helping the patient to adjust, to accept medical regimens, patient to adjust, to accept medical regimens, and to relate to the health complex involved in and to relate to the health complex involved in the broadened care aspects of chronic disease.the broadened care aspects of chronic disease.

The Role of Social Work in Health The Role of Social Work in Health CareCare

The social workers can be most valuable at the The social workers can be most valuable at the time the patient has been admitted or time the patient has been admitted or discharged from a hospital or during follow-up discharged from a hospital or during follow-up care once leaving the hospital.care once leaving the hospital.

One purpose of social work is to support and One purpose of social work is to support and strengthen family life.strengthen family life.

The social worker makes use of existing The social worker makes use of existing services through referrals or assists in mobilizing services through referrals or assists in mobilizing the untapped potential of the community to the untapped potential of the community to prevent illness or to restore the sick and prevent illness or to restore the sick and disabled to health and usefulness.disabled to health and usefulness.

The Future of Social Work in the The Future of Social Work in the Health Care ServicesHealth Care Services

In l998 it was estimated that the number of In l998 it was estimated that the number of uninsured Americans was one out of four.uninsured Americans was one out of four.

The health care system of the United States is The health care system of the United States is more costly than Canada, Germany or Japan.more costly than Canada, Germany or Japan.

One in five American children has no public or One in five American children has no public or private health insurance coverage.private health insurance coverage.

One in four black children and one in three One in four black children and one in three Hispanic children have no coverage.Hispanic children have no coverage.