Pecularities of Social Workers Activity in Providing Social Services in Health Care Institutions: the Analysis of Social Workers` Experience
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Abstract
The aim of the article is to highlight the peculiarities of social worker activity in providing social services in health care institutions, based on social workers’ experience. A qualitative research strategy was applied. The method used for survey data collection was semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the results was carried out using content analysis method. 6 social workers working in health care, nursing and medical rehabilitation facilities took part in the survey.
The results have revealed the importance of social work in health care institutions, the areas of social worker activities and the problems faced by social workers in health care organizations. The social workers have linked the importance of social work in health care organizations with a close interaction between health and social problems, with the provision of social services in strengthening the capacity of an individual’s social functioning and providing appropriate social conditions.
The nature of social work is multifunctional, so the social worker’s work in health care institutions is manifold and it involves the assessment of patient’s social situation and needs, evaluation and continuity of social services, consulting and informing the patient and his relatives (advice on social security, benefits, disability, work and special needs; providing information about social service agencies and organizations; technical procedures for obtaining compensation; the procedures of permanent care and nursing, custody, the adaptation of housing and environment), management of documents relating to application for custody, care, home services and pension matters, mediation between the patient and other health care professionals, relatives and various help and services providing organizations, involvement of family and relatives into the helping process and social services for them, organization of employment and self-help groups, cooperation with other agencies, professional development.
The problems faced by social workers in health care institutions include the following: workload overload, the risk of burnout syndrome the limitations of information about the services provided by social workers, a workplace problem and inadequate assessment in health care organizations, the problem of inter-ministerial misunderstanding.
The results have revealed the importance of social work in health care institutions, the areas of social worker activities and the problems faced by social workers in health care organizations. The social workers have linked the importance of social work in health care organizations with a close interaction between health and social problems, with the provision of social services in strengthening the capacity of an individual’s social functioning and providing appropriate social conditions.
The nature of social work is multifunctional, so the social worker’s work in health care institutions is manifold and it involves the assessment of patient’s social situation and needs, evaluation and continuity of social services, consulting and informing the patient and his relatives (advice on social security, benefits, disability, work and special needs; providing information about social service agencies and organizations; technical procedures for obtaining compensation; the procedures of permanent care and nursing, custody, the adaptation of housing and environment), management of documents relating to application for custody, care, home services and pension matters, mediation between the patient and other health care professionals, relatives and various help and services providing organizations, involvement of family and relatives into the helping process and social services for them, organization of employment and self-help groups, cooperation with other agencies, professional development.
The problems faced by social workers in health care institutions include the following: workload overload, the risk of burnout syndrome the limitations of information about the services provided by social workers, a workplace problem and inadequate assessment in health care organizations, the problem of inter-ministerial misunderstanding.
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