Advancing the need for medical social workers in paediatric wards at a public health hospital in South Africa

Raisuyah Bhagwan and Celest Heeralal

Children and Youth Services Review, 2024, vol. 156, issue C

Abstract: Whilst the literature related to social work services with children is extant, little is devoted to medical social work with regards to children in a hospital context. Moreover, empirical research related to medical social work is scant in South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach data was collected from health professionals, working in a paediatric ward, at a public health hospital in KwaZulu- Natal. The objective was to understand the experiences of paediatric patients and their parents and the potential role of social service professionals in paediatric wards. Semi-structured in depth interviews were conducted with a sample of eleven paediatricians, nurses and occupational therapists. The study found a huge gap in the paediatric ward with regards to psycho-social support services and the need for medical social workers.

Keywords: Medical social worker; Children; Hospitals; Intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:156:y:2024:i:c:s0190740923004322

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107236

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