scholarly journals Traditional medicine in social work practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Holoff
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
World Health

This partial grounded theory study explores the topic of Traditional medicine in social work practice in Toronto, Canada. Given the dearth of knowledge in this area, I wanted to explore the contrapuntal nature of two social workers’ practice who refer to Traditional Medicine, and to conceptualize further on this approach. Social work literature and practice has paid little attention to this topic despite the field’s purported commitment to equity and social justice. This is largely a reflection of how greatly we take for granted the bias towards Western medicine in our public health care system and in the social work referral system that is aligned with it. The World Health Organization defines Traditional medicine as: “Health practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs incorporating plant, animal, and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques, and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose, and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being” (Fokunang et al., 2011). Such approaches, which are based on Indigenous and non-Western ways of knowing are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), and thus remain largely inaccessible to the most financially marginalized. This is a problem for those who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for their health care. It is a grave disservice to those whose culture does not align with Western medicine; those whose health conditions have not been helped by Western medicine; and those who require a combination of Western and Traditional approaches to bring them to full health. This research explores the knowledge, experience, and processes of two social workers in Toronto who refer clients to Traditional medicine in spite of the structural bias towards Western medicine and its approaches. Key Words: Traditional medicine, social work practice, contrapuntal approach, decolonization, the Medicine Wheel, Toronto

scholarly journals Traditional medicine in social work practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Holoff
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
World Health

This partial grounded theory study explores the topic of Traditional medicine in social work practice in Toronto, Canada. Given the dearth of knowledge in this area, I wanted to explore the contrapuntal nature of two social workers’ practice who refer to Traditional Medicine, and to conceptualize further on this approach. Social work literature and practice has paid little attention to this topic despite the field’s purported commitment to equity and social justice. This is largely a reflection of how greatly we take for granted the bias towards Western medicine in our public health care system and in the social work referral system that is aligned with it. The World Health Organization defines Traditional medicine as: “Health practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs incorporating plant, animal, and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques, and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose, and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being” (Fokunang et al., 2011). Such approaches, which are based on Indigenous and non-Western ways of knowing are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), and thus remain largely inaccessible to the most financially marginalized. This is a problem for those who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for their health care. It is a grave disservice to those whose culture does not align with Western medicine; those whose health conditions have not been helped by Western medicine; and those who require a combination of Western and Traditional approaches to bring them to full health. This research explores the knowledge, experience, and processes of two social workers in Toronto who refer clients to Traditional medicine in spite of the structural bias towards Western medicine and its approaches. Key Words: Traditional medicine, social work practice, contrapuntal approach, decolonization, the Medicine Wheel, Toronto

scholarly journals Degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-433
Author(s):  
Meredith C.F. Powers ◽  
Komalsingh Rambaree ◽  
Jef Peeters
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
Ecological Justice ◽  
The World

Historically, and in modern times, social workers have been culpable in perpetuating the very systems of oppression that we seek to eliminate. This happens as we are part of cultures and economies that operate out of the growth ideology. Acting in accordance with the growth ideology does not lead to the outcomes that we strive for as professional social workers. Rather, the growth ideology results in growing social inequalities and increasing ecological injustices around the world. Social work can, instead, embrace an ecosocial lens and promote degrowth approaches for transformational alternatives. Rather than reinforcing the existing systems of injustice and oppression, radical social work can take an activist role and bring about urgent and radical changes to promote ecological justice through social and ecological well-being. Examples from radical social work in local and international communities demonstrate the possibility of degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice.

Social work in health care: An international perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalie Pockett ◽  
Liz Beddoe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
International Trends ◽  
Health Equality

An important element of contemporary social work is the influence of international trends on the contexts of practice. In this article, we will critically examine aspects of globalisation and the relationships between health inequalities and social inequalities and the implications for social work practice. Giles called on social workers to develop a ‘health equality imagination’; however, the challenge for practitioners on a day-to-day basis is how to integrate such an imagination into their work. A number of suggested approaches towards a greater engagement in addressing health inequalities in social work practice, education and research are also presented.

Social Work in Health Care with Older Adults: Future Challenges

2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Berkman ◽  
Daniel S. Gardner ◽  
Bradley D. Zodikoff ◽  
Linda K. Harootyan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Challenges

Dramatic changes in demography, epidemiology, and the financing and delivery of health care have significantly affected the lives of older adults and their families. The authors review current and future trends in aging and health care in the United States and their implications for social work practice in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers. Health care social work in the 21st century requires the development and application of evidence-based knowledge that reflects the interrelatedness of aging, physical and mental health, and intergenerational family processes. The authors demonstrate the value of social work research to issues that are in the forefront of gerontological health care practice, policy, and education.

Is social work a green profession? An examination of environmental beliefs

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry V Shaw
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

• Summary: Social work has developed to meet the needs of an industrializing society. As environmental concerns have increased, national, and international social work organizations have called on social workers to incorporate issues of the environment into their professional practice. Although there is a small body of literature related to social work and the environment, the profession has not fully embraced the need to incorporate these issues into social work education or practice. This cross-sectional survey in the United States of a random sample of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members ( n = 373) was designed to gauge the environmental knowledge and attitudes of social work professionals. • Findings: Though social work shares many of the same underlying tenets of groups interested in environmental justice, results suggest that social workers as a profession are no more, nor less, environmentally friendly than the general population. • Applications: By failing to incorporate ecological issues facing the United States and abroad, our current social policies are at best not sustainable, and at worst dangerous for our continued social well-being. Social workers can play a leading role through an understanding of the interrelationship that exists between people and the environment, the integration of environmental issues into their social work practice, and advocating for vulnerable populations.

Emotional Support Animals: An Overview of Practical and Legal Issues for Social Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sur Ah Hahn ◽  
Jennifer Hinton ◽  
Ann Hallyburton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Intrinsic Nature ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Work Education ◽  
Client Assessment

Abstract Limited literature exists to guide social workers in the effective and ethical use of emotional support animals (ESAs) in practice. This article deals with practical issues these professionals face in dealing with requests for ESA authorization. The article provides an overview of relevant U.S. regulations (as of mid-2019) governing housing, travel, workplaces, and higher education; examines the uses, efficacy, and special concerns regarding ESAs; and presents recommendations for the use of ESAs in social work practice. Ethical implications for social workers dealing with client assessment and ESA authorization are discussed. The authors also address the intrinsic nature of human and ESA well-being and its relevance to client-centered social work practice. In addition, the authors discuss opportunities for incorporating ESAs into social work education.

scholarly journals ‘The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name’: The Role of Compassion in Social Work Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1688-1705
Author(s):  
Denise Tanner
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Education Practice ◽  
Cognitive Components

Abstract The concept of compassion has little prominence in social work literature or in social work curricula, in contrast with those of nursing. This is despite compassion being a valued attribute of social workers from the perspectives of service users. This article considers the meaning of compassion, possible reasons for its absence from social work parlance and its potential contribution to social work practice. Whereas empathy is seen as comprising affective and cognitive components, compassion is defined in terms of affective and behavioural elements. More specifically, compassion is perceived as comprising both of ‘feelings for’ the person who is suffering and a desire to act to relieve the suffering. The desire to act is distinct from the act itself. Focusing primarily on the ‘desire to act’ component of compassion, the article suggests that the emotional health and mental well-being of social workers may be enhanced, rather than jeopardised, by acknowledging, facilitating and nourishing compassionate relationships with service users. It proposes that the emotional risks to social workers emanate not from the toll of feeling compassion for those in distress, but rather from a thwarting of their desire to act to alleviate suffering. It is argued that organisations have an important role in facilitating compassionate practice and possible avenues are considered to bring compassion into the fold of social work education, practice and research.

scholarly journals Policy Considerations for Geriatric Social Workers in Healthcare Settings During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 382-382
Author(s):  
Terri Lewinson ◽  
Tiffany Washington
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Social workers are essential to the delivery of health care with older adults the during COVID-19 pandemic. This paper focuses on the impact of policies in health care systems that affect geriatric social work practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 55 social workers from a variety of health care settings. Data were analyzed to identify the scope of social work practice in health care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how policies in their respective settings impacted their work. Conditions that impeded participants’ ability to provide quality care and work within their scope of practice included inconsistent expectations of interdisciplinary team members, disparate access to resources, restriction of opportunities to address emotional distress experienced by workers. Recommendations for policy enhancements in health care settings include interprofessional education on effective team communication, protocol development for the equitable distribution of resources among essential workers, and trauma-informed in-service trainings for health care administrators.

Counselling Skills and Social Work Practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shabbeer Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Interactive Relationship

The relationship between counselling and social work has always been complex and interactive. Relationship, one person interacting with another, is at the heart of all social work in health and social care settings. Social work emerged as profession in the 20th century and today it is profession charged with fulfilling the social mandate of promoting well being and quality of life.  Thus social work encompasses activities directed at improving human and social conditions and alleviating human distress and social problems. It is essential that social workers take responsibility for developing and improving those skills which enable them to build relationships. This enables them to provide a professional service for which they can be accountable. Social workers become involved with people needing support in a crisis, change, transition or loss; protection from self or others; help to deal with disadvantage or injustice; in fact any combination of life changing events depending on the particular circumstances (Seden and Katz 2003). The present paper attempts to focus on relationship between counselling skills and social work practice.

Social work practitioners and subjective well-being: Personal factors that contribute to high levels of subjective well-being

2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Graham ◽  
Micheal L. Shier
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Social Work Practitioners ◽  
Canadian Survey

Based on interviews with social workers possessing the highest level of subjective well-being (SWB) from a 2006 Canadian survey, this research identifies personal factors, including personal behaviors, interpersonal relationships and manifestations of self beyond their workplace and identity as social workers, as positively influencing social work practitioners’ high levels of subjective well-being. The conclusion considers implications for social work practice, education, and research.

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