The drama of discharge: worker/supervisor perspectives

This paper examines the process of discharge planning in the framework of drama, as exemplified in one case. The thoughts and actions of the social worker and the social work supervisor are delineated in order to highlight four points, that: decision making in discharge planning impacts strongly on all the participants involved; the constraints of the hospital setting and regulatory mandates often result in dilemmas of choice for the patient and family; for social workers new to helping in such situations, supervisory guidance and support is an essential component for practice; and the values, knowledge and skill of the social work professionals ensure that discharge decisions and interventions are effected in a manner that is both humane and accountable.