A Career in Hospital Social Work
- 11 May 2005
- journal article
- Published by Informa UK Limited
- Vol. 40 (3), 1-14
- https://doi.org/10.1300/j010v40n03_01
Abstract
Hospitals present a variety of complex challenges for social work practitioners. Clinical social workers deal with emotionally intense and potentially draining cases in a setting where they are often faced with threats to their identity or existence. They must balance their role as patient advocates with institutional needs and be able to adjust to ever-changing models of health care delivery. Why do some social workers thrive in this environment while others struggle to survive? This article draws upon the author's twenty-year career in hospital social work to provide a "snapshot" of the clinical social work role in teaching hospitals. Included in the discussion are observations about the unique aspects of clinical practice in the hospital and strategies for surviving power struggles, turf battles and hospital "politics."Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Effect of Organizational Reengineering on Job Satisfaction for Staff in Hospital Social Work DepartmentsPublished by Informa UK Limited ,2003
- The Impact of Hospital Restructuring on Social Work Field EducationHealth & Social Work, 2002
- Job Stress Among Academic Health Center and Community Hospital Social WorkersAdministration in Social Work, 2001
- Effect of a Changing Health Care Environment on Social Work Leaders: Obstacles and Opportunities in Hospital Social WorkSocial Work, 2001
- Managed care: Challenges to survival and opportunities for changeSmith College Studies in Social Work, 2000
- Understanding Organizational Reengineering in Health CarePublished by Informa UK Limited ,2000
- Hospital RestructuringSocial Work in Health Care, 1999
- Social Work in the Academic Medical Center:Published by Informa UK Limited ,1996
- Social Work in Restructuring Hospitals: Meeting the ChallengeHealth & Social Work, 1996
- The Changing Scene of Social Work in Hospitals: A Report of a National Study by the Society for Social Work Administrators in Health Care and NASWHealth & Social Work, 1996