A frame for defining social work in a hospital setting

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Health Services Research
• Social Work Practice

Background:

• Illness and hospitalization significantly disrupt patients' lives.
• The historical foundations of social work align with addressing patient and family needs during healthcare crises.
• Understanding the social worker's role is vital for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a framework defining the specific role of social work in hospitals.
• To connect the patient's experience of illness disruption with social work's historical mission.
• To elucidate the social worker's function in patient and family orientation to healing and discharge planning.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development.
• Literature review connecting historical social work principles with contemporary hospital practice.
• Analysis of the social worker's role in patient empowerment and task management.

Main Results:

• A clear articulation of the social worker's unique contribution to hospital settings.
• Identification of key areas where social workers facilitate patient and family engagement in healing.
• Integration of discharge planning as a critical component within this social work framework.

Conclusions:

• Social work provides essential support by contextualizing illness within patients' lives and leveraging historical professional values.
• Social workers empower patients and families by clarifying their roles in the healing journey.
• This framework enhances the understanding and utilization of social work services in hospital environments, including discharge planning.