Definition Meaning and Scope of Medical Social Work

Definition, Meaning and Scope of Medical Social Work

Definition Ø According to the National Association of Social Workers, U. S. A: “Medical Social Work is the application and adoption of method and philosophy of Social Work in the field of health and medical care. Medical Social Work makes selected and extended use of those aspects of social work knowledge and methods which are particularly relevant to helping persons who have health and medical problems. ”

• Dhooper (1997) explains social work’s involvement in health care practice: • Social work has been a part of the health care scene for more than 100 years. It has an impressive history of significant contributions to the field of health care in a wide range of settings. • social workers have been involved in health care at all levels: • Preventive care • Primary care (ongoing care for patients prior to the onset of disease symptoms or care for those experiencing early symptoms) • Secondary care (treatment of full-blown illness) • Tertiary care ( treatment of illness seriously endangering a person’s health) • Restorative care (help during recovery from illness) • Continuing care

Meaning Ø Medical social work makes selected and extended use of those aspects of social work knowledge and methods which are particularly relevant to helping persons who have health and medical problems. • This service is rendered through an agency in medical setting (hospitals, clinics, and sanatorium) to patients to help overcome their psycho-social problems which create barriers to the effective use of their medical treatment. • Medical social work is based on well defined principles of social work. • Its objective is to help patient in developing an understanding of his needs and to motivate him to use his capacities towards a satisfactory solution of his problems, using the strength within the personality and if necessary, the facilities and resources provided by the community.

• The help which a sick person requires depends upon a number of factors- the social setting, the resources available and the nature of readjustment or rehabilitation needed for him after recovery from illness. • A physician’s primary professional concern is with patient’s physical functioning and restoration of it. • A medical social worker on the other hand is interested in the personality of the patient and in factors in his social environment which affect his illness and rehabilitation. • A medical social worker therefore attempts to understand the needs and circumstances of patient with a view to finding out their impact on his illness.

Ø Health care settings in which social workers practice include hospitals, medical clinics, diagnostic and treatment centers, public health settings, and managed care companies. • Depending on the major purposes and functions of each health care setting, their roles have varied, requiring differential professional skills. • Medical social workers can fulfill many functions in hospitals, medical clinics, and diagnostic and treatment centers.

Scope • • Medical Social Worker Psychiatric Social Worker Social service officer Liaison Officer Public relation officer Social Welfare Officer Field Officer ( data collection of various health projects) • Research Officer • Regional Programme Consultant