Social Work in Rehabilitation: Roles, Interventions, and a New Theoretical Model

Area of Science:

• Health services research
• Social work in rehabilitation settings

Background:

• Health-related social work is a versatile profession crucial for rehabilitation.
• Patient participation and after-care organization are key social work tasks.
• International research on social work effectiveness lacks clear transferability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a programme theory for social work in rehabilitation.
• To understand social workers' roles in addressing contextual factors.
• To explore patient empowerment in enhancing environmental factors.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative dataset from a German health services research project.
• Development of a programme theory based on empirical data.
• Analysis of social work interventions and patient empowerment.

Main Results:

• Social workers utilize information, planning, and support work.
• Patients are empowered to leverage environmental factors.
• Social work provides a unique contribution to the rehabilitation workforce.

Conclusions:

• A programme theory clarifies the unique contribution of social work in rehabilitation.
• Social work interventions enhance patient participation and after-care.
• Further research is needed to validate transferability across settings.