Social work practice theory: a trans-cultural resource for health care

This paper examines the development of the theoretical base of social work practice as it has moved from a value base of care and concern to an identification with scientifically based theory. Rather than moving to a unified body of theory the profession is at a point where there is a range of theoretical bases which differentially impact on the profession in different regions of the world. It is argued that in the health care system it is necessary to develop a richly diverse structure of service delivery patterns to respond sensitively to the variations in cultural patterns and that the current diversity in social work theory serves as a useful model for such a goal. An increased comfort with theoretical plurality can serve as a resource in the expansion of a world-wide system of responsive health services.