Self Care Essay
Social Workers can be at risk of vicarious trauma: effective coping strategies
One question that is often asked within our profession is ‘What do social workers do?’ (Bowles, et.al 2006: 6). Whereas most people know what doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians do without having to ask, there does not seem to be this general understanding about the role of a social worker. Most social workers themselves find it hard to articulate this question. This is partly difficult due to the encapsulated variety and complexity of social work in a few phrases. The social work profession is about promoting social change, assisting in problem solving, and guiding people into empowerment and liberation to enhance their well-being. Therefore, why is it so hard
Hospital social workers help patients and their families understand a particular illness, work through the emotions of a diagnosis, and provide counselling about the decisions that need to be made (Spencer 2010: 169). Social workers are also essential members of multidisciplinary hospital teams. Working alongside doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals, social workers inform other health care providers to the social and emotional aspects of a patient’s illness (Whyte 2001: 26). Hospital social workers use case management skills to help patients and their families address and resolve the social, financial and psychological problems related to their health condition.
The delivery of the clients health is carried out by a range of professionals all working together as one functioning team. The role of the social worker within a multidisciplinary team involves, evaluating the patient and their support. This is best understood through the use of a psychosocial assessment (ref). Another part of the social worker role is to help patients and families understand their condition and treatment options. This may also include educating patients on the roles of the health care team, on the levels of health
One question that is often asked within our profession is ‘What do social workers do?’ (Bowles, et.al 2006: 6). Whereas most people know what doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians do without having to ask, there does not seem to be this general understanding about the role of a social worker. Most social workers themselves find it hard to articulate this question. This is partly difficult due to the encapsulated variety and complexity of social work in a few phrases. The social work profession is about promoting social change, assisting in problem solving, and guiding people into empowerment and liberation to enhance their well-being. Therefore, why is it so hard
Hospital social workers help patients and their families understand a particular illness, work through the emotions of a diagnosis, and provide counselling about the decisions that need to be made (Spencer 2010: 169). Social workers are also essential members of multidisciplinary hospital teams. Working alongside doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals, social workers inform other health care providers to the social and emotional aspects of a patient’s illness (Whyte 2001: 26). Hospital social workers use case management skills to help patients and their families address and resolve the social, financial and psychological problems related to their health condition.
The delivery of the clients health is carried out by a range of professionals all working together as one functioning team. The role of the social worker within a multidisciplinary team involves, evaluating the patient and their support. This is best understood through the use of a psychosocial assessment (ref). Another part of the social worker role is to help patients and families understand their condition and treatment options. This may also include educating patients on the roles of the health care team, on the levels of health
References: Spencer, M.S., Gunter, K.E. & Palmisano, G. 2010, "Community Health Workers and Their Value to Social Work", Social work, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 169-80 Whyte, L., Brooker, C., 2001, ‘Working with a multidisciplinary team: In secure psychiatric environments, Journal of Psychocsocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, Proquest Central pp 26