An off-site orientation program for medical social workers

The health care system is a complex and demanding environment requiring an acculturation process for all those who provide services under its aegis. Social workers new to a medical setting, are faced with difficulties relating to all aspects of their role: bureaucratic, professional and clinical. In an attempt to ease their entry into the health care system, five social work administrators, employed by the largest HMO in Israel, structured and facilitated an off-site orientation program for new workers. A core group of 22 social workers participated in the program, and in the final session, the participants evaluated the course verbally and in an anonymous closed questionnaire. Feedback was mixed and included the participants dissatisfaction with the reduction of the experiential component of the sessions.