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The role of the social worker is to offer a broad range of services from emotional support to referrals for community resources that can assist in enhancing adaptation to acute and chronic rheumatic conditions. Social workers may intervene by providing individual, couple, or family counseling, offering group education or support, and by working with community groups in the development of resources to assist patients in meeting their own needs.
The psychosocial assessment provides the basis for the social worker’s intervention. This assessment includes evaluation of the patient’s resources, strengths, and support systems, such as:
education level employment family support financial situation leisure interests living arrangements past coping behaviors
The social worker also addresses the patient's emotional response and reaction to the illness, the impact of the disease upon the family, the effect on the patient’s relationships and roles, and other personal or social problems.
The social worker provides information about psychosocial issues that can guide health care professionals in their treatment, management, and interaction with the patient. The social worker can also guide the patient in more effectively negotiating the health care system. Counseling interventions are designed to maximize personal and social resources in dealing with the acute and long-term issues of managing a chronic disease. Social workers also assist patients to return to functional independence by identifying community resources (e.g., finances, home care, transportation, and community service organizations) that can meet their environmental, personal, or interpersonal needs. The social worker may be involved in program planning, validation and research.
Where Does the Social Worker Work?
The social worker provides care in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, community mental health centers, schools, family and community service agencies, home care departments, extended care facilities, and private practice settings.
What Kind of Training Do Social Workers Have?
Social workers may have a bachelor's, masters, or doctoral degree, and most states require licensure for practice. National credentialing programs for advanced practice include the Academy of Certified Social Workers and Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work.
For additional information, contact the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, 2200 Lake Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, (404) 633-3777.
June 2008 (Revised) Practice & Membership and Executive Committee
April 2008 (Revised) Practice & Membership Committee
October 2002 (Revised) Executive Committee
2001-2002 (Revised) Professional Papers Task Force
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