Karen N. Allen - Social Work Practice in Health Care: Advanced Approaches and Emerging Trends

To Jim, for loving me enough to give me the time and support I needed to finish this part of the journey.

Karen M. Allen

To my father and mother (Dr. William C. and Violet Spitzer), who provided unfaltering support and serve as role models for me at every point of my life. At the same time, my son Colin has brought unbounded joy, love, and caring and in so doing has provided me with inspiration that has shaped and enriched my life. To these three, I will always be indebted. I would also happily say that being surrounded by a vast group of indulging friends who were always encouraging was a blessing.

William J. Spitzer

Advanced Approaches and Emerging Trends

This text offers a comprehensive examination of social work practice in healthcare. Because it utilizes the advanced, contemporary knowledge and expertise of skilled practitioners and academics specialized in healthcare delivery, it is designed not only for graduate and undergraduate students but also for practicing professionals. Every effort was made to present content in a straightforward manner revealing not just the characteristics and competencies of practice, but the historic, current, and anticipated factors contributing to the shape and direction of healthcare social work. As administrative and academic social workers with 60 years of combined practice experience, the editors carefully considered the concepts, principles, methodologies, and operational dynamics that influence competent practice in the continuously evolving healthcare environment. Particular attention is devoted throughout on the impacts of the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). Emphasis is placed on the integration of physical and behavioral healthcare, evidence-based practice, transdisciplinary care, and the increasing focus on primary health services associated with prioritized prevention, wellness, and chronic illness intervention.

This text has a singular intentto promote competent healthcare social work practice. Competency is prescribed in the Council on Social Work Education Standards as well as the National Association of Social Workers Standards for Practice in Health Care Settings. Contributing authors were selected on the basis of both their extensive patient care knowledge and ability to translate that in readily understood terms. The emphasis of the text is on conveying meaningful technical information in a manner that is logical, easy to understand, pragmatic, and readily applicable to healthcare professionals, regardless of present skill level. The goal is to advance social work practice to meet the current and anticipated needs of patients, families, and provider institutions. It is written in a style to not just hold the readers attention, but more importantly, energize them to those vigorous, challenging professional opportunities associated with the healthcare environment.

Todays healthcare environment demands excellence. It expects the practitioner to not only be competent in their profession, but to understand the technological, social, political, ethical, and financial factors impacting patient care delivery. The introduction of managed care, alternately referred to by Munson (2002) as managed cost, in the mid-1980s and 1990s and, more recently, the passage of the PPACA, provide clear evidence of concern about escalating healthcare costs, rising consumer expectations, evolving population demographics, and the challenge of un- and underinsured patient care. These and related factors place mounting pressure on institutional providers and individual practitioners alike to continuously adapt their patient care methodologies and priorities. This text addresses these issues by alerting readers to their bearing on current and future healthcare social work practice. It identifies the skills, ethical perspectives, techniques, and stresses associated with contemporary patient care. Using a systems approach to service delivery, significant emphasis throughout the text is placed on the importance of healthcare social workers being attentive to both individual patient and institutional provider needs.

This text has immediate applicability in the classroom, practicum, and by professionals in a wide range of patient care settings. With such use, the editors seek to enhance the integration of classroom and field by promoting a shared perspective on both pragmatic service delivery issues and professional orientation. It recognizes that learning accelerates and becomes more meaningful when students, academics, and practitioners share common ground. To facilitate this process, each chapter presents examples, exercises, and questions that challenge readers to translate theoretical concepts into competent practice.