Psychiatric Social Work Dr Muhammad Ibrar Introduction Psychiatric

Psychiatric Social Work Dr. Muhammad Ibrar

Introduction Psychiatric social work has been defined as social work practiced in relation to psychiatry. It indicates the use of social work knowledge, skills and methods in the practice of psychiatry which, in turn, has enriched the field of social work by throwing light on psychiatric implications of personal and social problems.

…Contd. In psychiatric social work, social case work and psychiatric services are combined for the purpose of treating mental or emotional disturbances. It also helps those patients who, due to emotional disturbances, feel difficulty in adjustment within the society. Thus psychiatric social work is oriented towards the welfare of patients suffering from emotional or mental disorders.

Definition “A qualified person who works with mentally disordered people and their families, based in a psychiatric hospital, child guidance clinic, or social services department area team, and who may also be an approved social worker. ”

Dates and important events in the history of Psychiatric social work Ø Began in hospital setting in 1905 – nurse Garnet I. Pelton appointed by physician Richard Cabot at Boston General Hospital in Internal Medicine Clinic Ø 1907 – Social Workers placed in Neurology clinic of MGH – said to be the beginning of psychiatric Social work Ø No distinction between MSW and PSW

…Contd. Ø Ida Cannon succeeded Garnet I. Pelton – said – practice from Dr’s office to home visits – diagnosis and treatment. Ø Speech by Cabot – ‘Hospital and Dispensary Social Work’ in international conference of Social Work at Paris in 1928 – agreed that primary function of Social Worker’s is to teach Dr’s and nurses about the social & psychological aspects of disease.

Period of Conflict Ø cannon spoke about – the direct treatment role of Social Work in health care, i. e, removing problems in patients surroundings for successful treatment Ø Cabot spoke about – Social Worker’s a bridge, i. e, liaison between hospital and patients.

Separation of MSW from PSW Ø Both MSW and PSW same before 1920 Ø Separation because of Freudian Psychoanalytic concept around 1920 Ø Separation increased by Mental Hygiene Movement after I world war –soldiers suffered from Shell(Bomb) Shock (now PTSD)

…Contd. Ø Abraham Flexnor – stated SW as not a profession Ø Training school for PSW in Smith College – 1918. Ø Section on PSW organized with AAHSW – 1922 (American Association of Hospital SW) Ø After I and II World War Veterans (experts) Administration (VA) hospitals employed both MSW and PSW

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA) � General knowledge of normal and abnormal human development and behavior. � General knowledge of recognized treatment interventions such as behavior modification; family, group, and individual psychotherapies; psychosexual education; substance abuse interventions.

…Contd. � Skill in developing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with mentally ill patients. � Skill in communicating with patients and families who may be experiencing distress. � Skill in conducting and teaching individual, family, and group therapies. � Skill in patient and family education regarding various aspects of mental illness.

…Contd. � Skill in interviewing to gather data needed to diagnose the needs of individuals and their families. � Skill in preparing clear, concise written case narratives and reports. � Skill in functioning as patient advocate to ensure that appropriate social services are being delivered which could include working with State and Federal agencies and community organizations for the coordination of services.

…Contd. � Ability to work with resistive, acutely, and chronically mentally ill; character disordered; and substance abusing patients. � Ability to understand reduce the effects of institutionalization on patients. � Ability to maintain effective working relationships with both professional and paraprofessional institution staff and public and private sector professional staff.

…Contd. � Ability to understand organizational systems and how to work within them for the benefit of the patient. � Ability to assess (evaluate) the level of dangerousness of patients. � Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of a wide variety of community agencies. � Ability to work as a member of a treatment team.

Scope of Psychiatric Social Work Scope is wider and broader PSW’ers can work as Ø Case Managers Ø Researchers Ø Rehabilitators Ø Work in acute psychiatric hospitals Ø In mental health Ø In community mental health Ø In multidisciplinary team