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THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN A HOSPITAL
ABSTRACT
This research work was conducted precisely to find out the need for the awareness and relevance of medical social workers in the hospital. The main instrument that was used in this study was the questionnaire which was designed in a way that will enable the researcher to have strong evidence about the importance of social workers in the hospital, particularly in the Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City. It was also aimed at identifying the various important roles social workers play in the rehabilitation of patients in the hospital. At the end of the work, useful recommendations were made; some of which are government should encourage all social workers by way of providing them with in-service training. Enhance remuneration and regular elevation in their places of work as they are made to face the challenges of societal problems every day.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstact vii
Table of Contents viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 BackgAcknowledgmentudy Abstracttatement of the Problem 5
1.2 Objective of the Study 6
1.3 Scope of Study 7
1.4 Significance of Study 8
1.5 Definition of Terms 8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Psychiatry Social Work 12
2.1 Rehabilitation 17
2.2 Social Welfare Services to Patients and Relatives 18
2.3 Patient Employer Consulting Services 19
2.4 The Doctor PatiePatientstionship 20
2.5 Admission Problems, such as Non-compliance with
Treatment 24
2.6 Case Conference 29
CHAPTER THREE:
3.0 Research Methodology 38
3.1 Population of Study 39
3.2 Sample Size 39
3.3 Method of Data Collection 39
3.4 Method of Data Analysis 40
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data Analysis 41
4.1 Discussing the Result 42
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Summary 58
5.1 Conclusion 59
5.2 Recommendations 61
References 63
Appendix 65
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
2.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
There are many notions of what the role of a social worker should be; we identify the more prevalent of them. They are not presented in terms of any historical or chronological continuity but – to assist this brief analysis – almost as ideal type Francozo and Cassorla (2004). They are readily identified in the literature about social work. They are also inextricably associated with the values and principles seen to underpin social work in general.
Social workers in hospitals need to work alongside other health care professionals and other relevant health care professionals and the perspectives on social work held by doctors and senior nurses are relevant both to their relationship with social workers and to the smooth running of the hospital (Kearney, and Skehill, 2005).
The nurses and doctors roles rated the quality of social work practice predominantly by the extent to which the social worker was seen to identify unambiguously with the hospital and its ethos: but they also set great store by the presence and easy accessibility of a social worker, and they preferred regular contact with the same person (Popple, Philip N, 2008). They saw the social worker as a lay agent within the health care framework and acknowledged that the social care role and the social worker’s link with the community were crucial components of good hospital practice.
Medical social work is a sub-discipline of social work, also known as hospital social work. Medical social workers typically work in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or hospice, have a graduate degree in the field, and work with patients and their families in need of psychosocial help. Medical social workers assess the psychosocial functioning of patients and families and intervene as necessary. Interventions may include connecting patients and families to necessary resources and supports in the community; providing psychotherapy, supportive counseling, or grief counseling; or helping a patient to expand and strengthen their network of social supports.
Medical social workers typically work on an interdisciplinary team with professionals of other disciplines (such as medicine, nursing, physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy, etc.)
The medical social worker’s job is to assess with patients to assess for any physical, mental, or emotional needs they assess the family support system and link the patient with service to help with care if needed. Beresford, (2000) assistance with financial concerns, such as not being able to afford medication or pay household bills. Gould (2006) some social workers provide counseling to to patients who are suffering from depression or who are having difficulty coping. Ultimately, a social worker links and makes referrals to agencies to assist the patient with all of these services. Butlerlan and Giverda (2004) in most cases, social workers can provide a great deal of assistance and support to help a patient cope emotionally and financially with illness. In addition, healthcare staff also feel comforted when they know the social worker is going to help the patients because it means that they have fewer problems with the patient not getting the necessary treatment.
Refugee Council (2005) social workers help educate and provide support to patients and their families. Just like nurses, physicians, and therapists, social workers are experts in their field. One of the main benefits of a social worker is helping to be sure the patient knows what services are available. This can help increase patient safety and increase the possibility that the patient will not return to the hospital.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The rate at which people are affected by mental illness is alarming in the world and Nigeria in particular (WHO, 2001), and at times the psychiatrist alone will not be able to manage the problems of most of the neurological patients. Hence the role of social workers in psychiatric hospitals is vital, to help diagnose the social problems of patients. In recent years, evidence has shown that increases in mental disorders are attributed to social problems such as unemployment, divorce, retrenchment, addiction, religion, low standard of living, loss of parental love, lack of educational achievement, etc.
Such a situation does concern all mental health and allied professionals, essentially social worker practicing in mental health institution believes that mental health disorder are directly attributable to social problems that characterize society.
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
i. To create awareness about how social workers work with patients and their families.
ii. To enlighten the public about how medical social workers assess the psycho-social functioning of patients and their families.
iii. To create awareness on how medical social workers counsel mental patients and their families. And how social workers help to expand and strengthen the network of support to patients.
iv. To create awareness based on how social workers plan and conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve health and counseling in the community.
v. To educate the public about how medical social workers intervene as advocate for patients to resolve emergency problem.
vi. To create awareness, and formulate or coordinate program plans for treatment, care, and rehabilitation of patients based on social worker experience and knowledge.
1.3 SCOPE OF STUDY
This study will focus on the roles of a social worker in a psychiatric hospital, in Uselu, Benin City. The focus will be the patients in Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The significance of this study is to create awareness of the importance of medical social workers in the promotion of the psychological well-being of individuals, families, and communities. It will also reveal how medical social workers work with other medical practitioners to find a resolution to patients’ problems, to ameliorate or solve their problems.
1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS
INDIVIDUAL AND CHILD WELFARE
This is concerned with the social worker getting to know the well-being of the patients or family as a whole.
COUNSELLING
This involves the social worker listening and attempting to understand the patient and provide answers or solutions to the patient’s problems.
Counselling is mostly conducted in private and the discussion is confidential. Counseling concerned with problem-solving behavioral processes
CHILD WELFARE
This is concerned with the social worker’s finding solutions for the well-being of the children in the hospital, various humanitarian organizations, and meaningful individuals.
RECONSTRUCT
This is concerned with conversing with a patient in ways which is expected to change his/her behavior.
1. To help them to have a normal life again.
2. To make sure they stop associating with their bad peer group which always lead them to drug.
3. To counsel them about the danger of taking hard drugs like Indian hemp, cocaine, heroin, etc.
HOMELESSNESS
If a patient is homeless the medical officer/social worker will liaise with the voluntary/statutory agencies that specialize in working with homeless persons in the state, to provide shelter for the patients.
DISCHARGE PLANNING
This complex process which begins on a person’s admission to the hospital, involves assessing, counselling, and planning. It may involve issues as:
1. Loss of independence and control
2. Separation from loved ones
3. Adjustment to such lifestyle changes and or possibilities of not returning home.
NETWORKING
Is the practice of liaising with statutory and voluntary services and agencies, to keep patients/careers informed of their rights and linking them with appropriate support networks groups
ELDER ABUSE
In the practice of helping elderly people in society (Greene Roberta, 2008), if any individual has any suspicion/concern that any elderly has been abused or may be at risk of abuse, they should contact the medical social worker immediately.