Social Work Practice in Health Care: Advanced Approaches and Emerging Trends

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.

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