The role and task of the medical social worker in a rehabilitation setting : an evaluation of selected patients at the Rehabilitation Clinic, Karl Bremer Hospital, Bellville

In this study the writer assumed that the psycho-social characteristics of physically disabled patients would influence the role and task of the medical social worker at the Rehabilitation Clinic. Therefore an attempt was made to determine the psycho-social characteristics of patients referred to the Rehabilitation Clinic. Furthermore an attempt was made to determine the role and task of the medical social worker in relation to these psycho-social characteristics. The research method was a descriptive one, using archival data; the latter being social work records of interviews with patients. Prior to the research a literature study was done on various aspects of physical disability and vocational rehabilitation. A sample group of 45 subjects was compiled by a random sampling technique. Two structured schedules were used to extract data from both the social work file and the Rehabilitation Clinic patient file. The research and processing of the information was done manually. The findings revealed the following 1. The majority of the physically disabled patients were Coloured males in the age category of 31-50 years. 2. These patients had poor educational qualifications and were previously unskilled or semi-skilled labourers. 3. The patients were unemployed and had no income. 4. These patients had a passive lifestyle with no hobbies or little religious involvement. They also habitually abused liquor and/or cannabis. 5. The housing conditions of these patients were inadequate and primitive. 6. The various roles of the medical social worker included those of rehabilitation counsellor, team member, co-ordinator/resource manager and teacher, whereas the tasks included assessment, dissemination of information, referrals, co-ordinating of services and education. The final conclusion in this study was that the role and task of medical social worker was influenced by both the psycho-social characteristics of referred patients as well as the expectations of the rehabilitation team of the Rehabilitation Clinic.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Social Development

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Hanekom, Anita

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jayes, Claire Sharman

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17156

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/17156