Social Work Personal Statement
I was given the opportunity to learn basic research methodology through my undergraduate Social Work degree. A graduate program would allow me to build upon this knowledge in order to not only perform research projects but also to evaluate the work of others.
The graduate program at Renison University College specifically addresses my desire to work within the health care field. The holistic framework used by Renison University College closely mirrors my own personal values.
I have a personal interest in bureaucratic insurance and bio-medical systems that devalue individuals having dealt with them due to a work related injury of my own. The reductionism of these systemic structures becomes instrumental in prohibiting healing and recuperation …show more content…
The opportunity I have had to pursue an Honors Specialization in Anthropology at Western has allowed me to have an expansive examination, through course work, of experiences of the philosophical and phenomenological. My knowledge level has naturally increased through my Western experience as, I believe, has my wisdom. I have enhanced both my rhetorical skills and my competence in critical analysis. The study of anthropology has given me a clearer sense of the intersection of issues, from structure to ideology and from cultures of interest to values which shapes my research interests. The addition of the Bachelor of Social Work program has allowed me to attain theoretical models of social work intervention to the 20 years of practical experience that I have had in the social service field. The blending of an anthropological and a social work perspective will allow me to have a more multidisciplinary approach to my future research in order to create a more holistic intervention …show more content…
Research findings vary greatly regarding the incidence of depression developing after an ABI from 14-77% (Koponen, Taiminen, Kurki, Portin, Isoniemi, Himanen, & Tenovuo, 2006). In one study of depression two and a half years after ABI showed that 42% met DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) measures for major depression (Kreutzer, Seel, & Gourley, 2001).
So, do victims who receive psychiatric assessment and treatment immediately following an ABI have decreased rates of depression?
Interest in this subject came from a personal experience. My husband, and many clients at the Sarnia Lambton Brain Injury Association that I was on the Board of Directors for, were unable to access appropriate services in order to attain diagnosis or treatment. Barriers to accessing diagnosis and treatment included such a lack of guidelines for immediate treatment of ABI victims, a lack of tools and often, the regulations of the adversarial automobile insurance industry.
Identification of barriers to diagnosis and treatment in the early stages of rehabilitation may allow for changes to be made in order to allow social workers, caregivers, family and the injured party to navigate the system better, have more successful outcomes and maintain support systems. It may also decrease the risk secondary conditions such as familial breakdown or substance
The graduate program at Renison University College specifically addresses my desire to work within the health care field. The holistic framework used by Renison University College closely mirrors my own personal values.
I have a personal interest in bureaucratic insurance and bio-medical systems that devalue individuals having dealt with them due to a work related injury of my own. The reductionism of these systemic structures becomes instrumental in prohibiting healing and recuperation …show more content…
The opportunity I have had to pursue an Honors Specialization in Anthropology at Western has allowed me to have an expansive examination, through course work, of experiences of the philosophical and phenomenological. My knowledge level has naturally increased through my Western experience as, I believe, has my wisdom. I have enhanced both my rhetorical skills and my competence in critical analysis. The study of anthropology has given me a clearer sense of the intersection of issues, from structure to ideology and from cultures of interest to values which shapes my research interests. The addition of the Bachelor of Social Work program has allowed me to attain theoretical models of social work intervention to the 20 years of practical experience that I have had in the social service field. The blending of an anthropological and a social work perspective will allow me to have a more multidisciplinary approach to my future research in order to create a more holistic intervention …show more content…
Research findings vary greatly regarding the incidence of depression developing after an ABI from 14-77% (Koponen, Taiminen, Kurki, Portin, Isoniemi, Himanen, & Tenovuo, 2006). In one study of depression two and a half years after ABI showed that 42% met DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) measures for major depression (Kreutzer, Seel, & Gourley, 2001).
So, do victims who receive psychiatric assessment and treatment immediately following an ABI have decreased rates of depression?
Interest in this subject came from a personal experience. My husband, and many clients at the Sarnia Lambton Brain Injury Association that I was on the Board of Directors for, were unable to access appropriate services in order to attain diagnosis or treatment. Barriers to accessing diagnosis and treatment included such a lack of guidelines for immediate treatment of ABI victims, a lack of tools and often, the regulations of the adversarial automobile insurance industry.
Identification of barriers to diagnosis and treatment in the early stages of rehabilitation may allow for changes to be made in order to allow social workers, caregivers, family and the injured party to navigate the system better, have more successful outcomes and maintain support systems. It may also decrease the risk secondary conditions such as familial breakdown or substance