Social work in health care
-
Burns require psychosocial healing in addition to physical recovery as survivors face challenges such as scarring and altered appearance. An adjunct to interventions provided by social workers and other professionals is peer support from fellow burn survivors. ⋯ Outcome variables were explored relative to survivors' views of peer support to gauge its influence on psychosocial recovery. Findings suggest peer support is a promising resource in burn rehabilitation warranting further investigation.
-
Soc Work Health Care · Jan 2009
Experiences and resistance strategies utilized by fathers of children with cancer.
This study examines the experiences of fathers of children diagnosed with cancer. In this grounded theory study, participating fathers were qualitatively interviewed using a theoretical sampling approach. Results indicate fathers to be profoundly affected by their child's condition of cancer. ⋯ Post-diagnosis lived experience is described to hold new meaning as fathers reconcile the presence of childhood cancer within the life of their child and family. Strategies of resistance are demonstrated as fathers combat the devastating impacts of cancer through a commitment to family integration, healthy personal lifestyle and attitudes, support seeking, spirituality, and reframing of priorities. An emerging model is presented, as are implications for practice and recommendations.
-
Soc Work Health Care · Jan 2009
Biography Historical ArticleWomen's Longevity Group: Myrna's Group.
-
Soc Work Health Care · Jan 2008
Case ReportsThe increase of treatment options at the end of life: impact on the social work role in an inpatient hospital setting.
Treatment choices for cancer patients are becoming increasingly complex as medicine advances and doctors are able to offer more treatment options at the end of life. Research data shows that 22% of all Medicare patients start a new chemotherapy regimen in the last month of life. ⋯ In this article we explore three case studies where patients and families were faced with the challenges of making treatment decisions at the end of life and the importance and impact of the social work role in the multidisciplinary team. An inpatient social worker can assume a leadership position to assist patients and families in navigating the health care system and with difficult treatment options.
-
Soc Work Health Care · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyBurnout, social support, and coping at work among social workers, psychologists, and nurses: the role of challenge/control appraisals.
The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to compare stress appraisals, coping strategies, social resources, and burnout at work between social workers, psychologists and nurses; and (2) to assess the effectiveness of appraisals and support in reducing burnout and enhancing effective coping strategies. Questionnaires containing assessments of work stress appraisals, coping strategies used to deal with problems at work, and social support at work, as well as burnout measures of exhaustion, depersonalization, and accomplishment were completed by 249 female professionals (age range 25-61). No differences were observed between the three professions on most psychological measures, except for the depersonalization outcome of burnout, which was significantly lower among psychologists than among nurses or social workers. ⋯ By comparison, the stress/load appraisal contributed to more exhaustion at work, while emotion-focused coping contributed to higher depersonalization. Social support was associated with higher challenge/control appraisal, with the latter mediating support effects on burnout. These data suggest that the perception of challenge/control in one's work may be an important factor in preventing work burnout in the three professions tested in the study.