Social Work Practice in Healthcare: Advanced Approaches and Emerging Trends

by Karen Marie-Neuman Allen, William J. Spitzer

Overview

This pragmatic and comprehensive book helps readers develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for effective health care social work practice, as well as an understanding of the technological, social, political, ethical, and financial factors affecting contemporary patient care. Packed with case studies and exercises, the book emphasizes the importance of being attentive to both patient and organizational needs, covers emerging trends in health care policy and delivery, provides extensive discussion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and addresses social work practice across the continuum of care.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483353180
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/10/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	536
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Karen M. Allen, PhD, LCSW, received her bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Oakland University, her MSW in social work administration, and her PhD in education from Wayne State University. She has nearly 20 years of experience in health care as a medical social worker, department director, and administrator. Her clinical practice involved working with individuals and families affected with severe illnesses and traumas, including burns, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, cancer, and strokes. Most recently her clinical work and research has been in trauma-infused cognitive behavioral therapy especially as it relates to women who are recovering from interpersonal violence. Dr. Allen is a co-author with Danielle Wozniak of Surviving Domestic Violence and has written over 30 publications including peer-reviewed papers, books, book chapters, and other publications. She is currently professor and director of the social work program at Indiana University Bloomington. She serves on the editorial review boards for Social Work in Health Care, Social Work in Mental Health, and Advances in Social Work, is a licensed clinical and macro-practice social worker, and teaches practice, policy, and research.

William J. Spitzer, PhD, DCSW, earned his doctorate in social work and business administration from the University of Illinois. His 30 year career appointments include Virginia state manager of licensing operations and department director of social work services for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) hospitals/clinics, Oregon Health&Science University hospitals/clinics, and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System. He serves as the National Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care publications editor, was society president in two states, and on the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) board of directors. Dr. Spitzer received the national Hy Weiner Social Work Leadership Award, Virginia and Oregon leadership awards, and had his department honored as Best Health System Patient Care Department by VCU hospitals.  Dr. Spitzer was clinical associate professor at VCU, with prior appointments at Portland State University and the University of Illinois. He has 40 publications, served on multiple Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation teams and journal editorial boards, and edits the expanding eleven-volume Exemplars in Health Care Social Work Practice texts.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Social Work Practice in Healthcare
Chapter 1: The Historical and Contemporary Context for Healthcare Social Work Practice
Introduction
Evolution of medical social work practice
Historical context of health care in the United States
Public health in the United States
Early efforts to nationalize health care in the United States
Contemporary health care reform: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 2: The Organizational Context of Health Care Social Work Practice
Introduction
Health care organizations
Social work challenges in contemporary health care organizations
The advent of managed health care
The PPACA and Accountable Care Organizations
The health care system as a continuum
Continuum components, focus of care and social work services
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 3: Knowledge and Theoretical Foundations of Health Care Social Work Practice
Introduction
The changing health care system
Definitions of health, wellness, disease and disability
The medical model of practice
Health condition adjustment: Patient/family counseling
A theoretical framework for intervention
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 4: Health Care Social Work Practice Skills and Competencies
Introduction
Definition of health care social work practice
The roles and functions of health care social work practice
The helping process applied to health care social work practice
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 5: Values and Ethics of Health Care Social Work
Introduction
Social work values
Ethical dilemmas
Ethical decision-making
Ethics Committees
Challenges
Opportunities
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 6: Practice-Based Research in Health Care Social Work
Introduction
Evidence-based practice
From research to quality improvement
Practice based evaluation
Best practice in evaluation design
Evaluative designs
Outcome findings and quality evaluation
Creating a positive culture for evaluation
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Part 2: Advanced Approaches and Emerging Trends
Chapter 7: Chronic Illness: Issues and Interventions
Introduction
Health disparities and associated costs of chronic illness
Biopsychosocial assessment of health needs and services
Social work role in care coordination
Facilitating adherence to medical regimens
The impact of chronic illness on family functioning
Special considerations: Chronic illness in childhood Chronic diseases overview
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 8: Transitional Planning Across the Continuum of Care
Introduction
Discharge planning through the continuum of care
Interprofessional care coordination
Medical “gatekeepers”
Preadmission planning
Transitional care planning
The role of social work in long-term care
Alternatives to nursing home care
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 9: Social Work Practice in Oncology, Palliative Care and End of Life Care
Introduction
Eolution of cancer care
Survivability factors
Cultural issues
Current trends in psychosocial care: Functions and roles
Psychosocial screening and assessment
Depression and anxiety in cancer patients
Characteristics of oncology social work practice
Patient and family intervention
Summary: The challenge of oncology practice
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 10: Community Health and Health Promotion
Introduction
Theoretical framework
Skills and competencies
Values and ethics
Health promotion and wellness models
Cultural considerations
Role of social work in community and public health
Emerging trends
Challenges
Opportunities
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 11: Gerontological Health Care Social Work Practice
a. Introduction
b. Our aging population
c. Demographic influences
d. Present health status of the aging population
e. Health care and social services needs of an aging population
f. The opportunity for social work practice
g. Gerontological social work functions
h. Intervention with an aging population
i. Social work policy practice with an aging population
j. Summary
k. Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 12: Intervention with Pediatric Patients and their Families
Introduction
Child health in the United States
Chronic health
Mental health
Developmental disabilities
Accidental injury
Pediatric care sites and social work practice
Social work practice knowledge and skills
Documentation
Child maltreatment
Professional values and ethics
Practice challenges
Practice opportunities
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 13: Co-occurring Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Disorders in Medical Patients: Implications for Health Care Social Work Practice
Introduction
Psychiatric care in health settings
The social work role in behavioral health
Substance abuse as a co-occurring disorder
Integrating care
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 14: Supervision and Evaluation
Introduction
Importance of clinical supervision
The historical context of supervision
Definitions: Field education, supervision and consultation
Theoretical foundations
Supervision Competencies
Supervision modalities
Trends in supervision
Ethical responsibilities of supervisors
Performance evaluation
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 15: Cultural Competence in Health Care Social Work
Introduction
Defining cultural competence
Specific considerations in culturally competent health care
The gay, lesbian and transgendered population
Culturally competent health care organizations
Summary
Key terms, concepts and exercises
Chapter 16: Glimpses into the Future of Health Care and Social Work Practice
Introduction
On the health care policy horizon
On the health care service delivery horizon
On the health care social work practice horizon
Envisioning the future…
Key terms, concepts and exercises

Editorial Reviews

This comprehensive volume makes an important new contribution to the literature of health care social work. In exploring social work’s changing roles in health care, it offers knowledge that is based both on thorough research and on practice wisdom drawn from experiences of the editors and authors.

Kay Davidson

Drs. Allen and Spitzer provide a very thorough and insightful examination of not only the profession of social work, but also the complex context in which social workers must work. The treatment of the history of attention to social determinants of health, the evolution of the healthcare delivery system, and the renewed attention to social determinants through the Affordable Care Act is of interest and importance not only to members of the profession, but to all healthcare professionals and others who wish to understand this rapidly changing industry.

Carolyn (Cindy) A. Watts

Charting the territory of health care in American society is a daunting task. This text takes on the challenge in a bold and ambitious style that is robust in historical accuracy and insightful when articulating the responsibility of professional social work in today’s complex evolving health care environment. A particular hallmark of this text is the thread that is weaved from the origins of American health care to its current texture.

Frank R. Baskind

More than an academic text, this important work clearly and accurately characterizes the skills, challenges, and patient and family-centered work of the present day healthcare social worker. Amidst the turmoil and theoretical debate driven by health care reform, the authors write from direct experience effectively bringing their knowledge into a comprehensive examination of the value and role of social workers in the health care arena today.

Edward Woomer

Drs. Allen and Spitzer provide a comprehensive and well-sourced review of the practice of social work within the broader context of past and present health care delivery models. Most intriguing is their projection of the future of social work in health care using patient-centered, integrated care, medical homes, navigators, and patient/provider partnerships.

Michael Jurgensen