Social work in health care
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI)-an injury to the brain that may or may not create lasting impairment for the survivor-has been recognized as a major public health problem by the Centers for Disease Control ( Langlois, Rutland-Brown, & Thomas, 2006 ). Ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have highlighted the problem for the military ( Warden, 2006 ). ⋯ As those with TBI transition to their home locality, civilian social workers and other providers will be involved in their care. This article examines the medical and emotional implications of mild TBI and offers suggestions for care of those affected, both the service member and his/her family.
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Soc Work Health Care · Jan 2011
Reciprocal influences between burnout and effectiveness in professional care for elders.
In community care, the quality of life of the care recipient and the quality of the care provider affect each other. This is a proposition derived from the dialectical perspective, which envisions the importance of promoting the quality of life of both the care recipient and provider. The proposition hinges on mediation by caring effectiveness. ⋯ The results reinforce the mediation model by showing that caring effectiveness mediates the impact of the earlier burnout of the professional care provider on the subsequent psychological well-being of the care recipient. In turn, the earlier psychological well-being and functional disability of the care recipient also affect the burnout of the professional care provider. The results support the dialectical perspective.
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Soc Work Health Care · Jan 2011
A civilian social worker's guide to the treatment of war-induced PTSD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder has been designated as one of the signature wounds of the Iraq/Afghanistan war. Approximately 15% of returning service members have been diagnosed with PTSD and the numbers increase daily. As such, civilian social workers and other mental health professionals need to understand the diagnosis and how best to help those struggling with the disorder. This article will explore the etiology and treatment approaches used in management for those with PTSD.
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This study was conducted to explore the communication process between patients, caregivers, and health care professionals, including social workers, through which the decision to choose hospice occurred. Ten bereaved hospice caregivers of patients over age 60 receiving home hospice services participated in this qualitative (phenomenological) study. ⋯ Themes that emerged included: involvement of health care professionals, relationship with physicians, involvement of patients in decisions, content of discussion, understanding of hospice, and suggestions for improvement. Physicians and social workers were noted to be most involved in the communication, decision making, and transition to hospice; however, a need exists for a more coordinated approach to discussing end-of-life care options with seriously ill patients and their families.
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This qualitative study examined 30 burn survivors' perceptions of the value of peer support in their own psychosocial rehabilitation. Little research is available that investigates the role of peer support in post-burn recovery in terms of perceived benefits and costs. Findings revealed strong positive views regarding the helpfulness of peer support. ⋯ Two-thirds of the sample had served as peer supporters themselves after receiving their injuries, suggesting that mutual aid does involve reaching out to others. At the same time, survivors spoke of possible costs in helping others. Involving peer supporters in the psychological rehabilitation of burn survivors may be an important complement to the medical team.