Ch. 1- Orientation to Social Work in the Health Field

Chapter one is an understanding of this broad idea of social work in the health care field. Social work began with 1905 and the chapter discusses about how social workers job descriptions began as just another nurse in the halls that helped with all the patient issues. It really opened my eyes to how far social work has come since the beginning of its uses. Honestly, I didn’t really understand what job social workers did do in health care facilities in today’s society but now I am aware of how many jobs do fall under the umbrella of social work. Also, chapter one discussed the chain of command that different social workers may or may not have to follow depending on the setting of their employment. I find it very comforting that hospitals are coordinating their social workers with physical commands and bureaucratic commands in order to fulfill the needs of the most patients (Cowles, 2003, p. 24). After understanding more of the job and different scenarios that these workers come in contact with, I have a new found respect for the studies and services they preform. Now on the other hand I feel as though the NASW was the helper for turning health care facilities on to the great idea of employing social workers but it still can raise controversy in the care facilities. I agree with the organization but think it might raise some eyebrows to who is really in charge. Just like when a company has federal policies but falls under a union policy. The most interesting part of this chapter for me was learning about the different models such as P.I.E, biopsychosocial, and medical. It made me want to learn more about how different patients are approached and understood through different ideas. Through reading other summaries and chapters in books, I realize that every author/doctor may have a different understanding of these models. Whitbourne writes a lot about the biopsychosocial perspective and creates different mental pictures in order to create understanding (Whitbourne, 2011, p. 15). I thought of how I would go about trying to assess a patient if I am ever in that sort of situation.  

Fort Cowles, L. A. (2003). Orientation to Social Work in the Heath Field. Social work in the health field: a care perspective (2nd ed., pp. 11-19). New York: Haworth Social Work Practice Press.

Whitbourne, S. K., & Whitbourne, S. B. (2011). Health and Development. Adult development and aging, biopsychosocial perspectives (pp. 4-22). Wiley.