After reading this article it helped to open my eyes and realize how biology plays an important part in understanding social work clients. Knowledge of biological structures in SW is essential for decision-making. Quite often the client problems overlap in many ways with biological factors such as health conditions, environmental toxins, genetic conditions or substance abuse. Biology applies to what we eat, thing and we live we do. Melissa’s life will undergo significant changes as the symptoms of HIV infection begin to develop. As noted in the reading the social worker may play a role working with Melissa as she and her family adjust to her diagnosis. The social worker may play an important role in helping the patients maximize the benefits
While practicing social work it is important to understand how an individual’s system and environment can
This is clearly a different approach from the other approaches that doctors and nurses take because it looks at the outside factors that can be affecting the person and not just looking at the person themselves. Social workers believe that by looking at a person’s environment, it can help with preparing or fixing issues that may come up. This is especially true in healthcare settings where looking at the kind of environment a person is living in can help social workers help make the patient’s life more comfortable (Borst, 2010). The strengths perspective focuses on the positive and essentially the strengths that a patient has to better help empower them (Borst, 2010). Social workers use the strengths perspective to do just that and actively look for patient strengths to better help empower the person. The healthcare setting itself is typically seen as a very negative thing. Many patients may feel like they are “broken”, and for many they may be currently at their lowest and don’t see the strengths they have (Borst, 2010). By doing this, social workers not only can help patients through a difficult time of health, but they do so by taking care of the social and emotional needs of the person while doctors and nurses focus on the biological (Borst, 2010). The strengths perspective also links back to the idea that social workers are a guide for people trying to navigate the
According to Georgetown University Medical Center, the study of neuroscience is what the nervous system does, how it develops and the structure. The focus is mainly on the impact of the brain on cognitive and behavior functions (Nordqvist, 2017). Neuroscience looks at how the nervous system reacts to people who have neurological, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric disorders (Nordqvist, 2017). Researchers Combs-Orme, Egan, and Neely-Barnes mention that neuroscience can enrich what we understand of the brains role within human development and behavior. New perceptions into “biology’s contributions to our multilayered biopsychosocial model” can be provided by neuroscience (Comb-Orme et al., 2011). The support
Deciding what populations and types of clients with whom I want to work with, in the field of social work, is one of the most important decisions ever, regarding my career. From as early as childhood, I have always known that I want to work with children in whatever career I chose. Starting my career as a social worker and working with children and families is where I feel as though I belong. I would be the least comfortable working as a criminal justice social worker. Geriatric social work is another population that I would feel least comfortable working with. Homework 2
In order to work effectively and appropriately with vulnerable and marginalised groups in society such as individuals with mental illnesses, it is fundamental for a social worker to have a comprehensive knowledge base and proficient skills.
Social workers must strive “for a full understanding of the complex interactions between the client and all levels of the social and physical system as well as meaning that the client assigns to each of these interactions” (Andreae, 1996, p. 605).
Individuals’ mental status or physical/ behavioral recovery or medical treatment cannot persist in a healthy phase if their social roles in relationships are unaccounted or if their family is homeless, or they are living in a toxic social environment. I believe, even with the integration, of healthcare professional, the primary focus of social work should not only encompass psychological forces, the environment, or the social structure but on the boundary or the relationship between the person and the social
Social work professions need to understand the importance of how individuals interact both with other people and their environment, to have an understanding how individuals are affected by these interactions (Rogers, p. 2). According to Rogers (2016), “Social workers are knowledgeable about human behavior across the life course; the range of social systems in which people live; and the ways social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being. Social workers apply theories and knowledge from the liberal arts to understand biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development (p. 2). Their work with clients begins with assessments to evaluations of intervention and is based in and supports of the core value system of the profession.
As a social worker, it is extremely important to be aware of the biological factors that are affecting your client’s life. Clients could be suffering from illness such as depression caused by a decrease level in serotonin, or a behavior such as increased aggression caused by higher testosterone levels. It is important to understand that because both of these behaviors are caused by biological factors, they are out of our client’s control (Wormer, 2011). However, it is not only important to be aware of biological factors, it is also crucial to be aware of the person and environment in addition to the biological aspect. The specific perspective that includes all of these factors is known as life course perspective.
As I observed the N.A. group, I compared Hepworth 's, Direct Social Work Practice, five stages of group development. The Preaffiliation stage involves observation and feeling out the environment of the group; members may be hesitant to speak or test out certain behaviors to see reactions from other members of the group or the facilitator (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried, 2017, 2013). Returning group members greeted each other with hugs, handshakes, pat on the back, while newcomers sat quietly observing others. The facilitator provided an introduction and instructions for participation. Each member was instructed to introduce the first name, state "I am an addict" and take turns reading from the
This field is important because it allows social workers to play an integral part in assisting patients, some of who have been kept in large inpatient facilities for vast periods of time, to become functioning and active members of society, as they deal with
The biological a social worker should address when working with an infants are changes in the brain, reflexes, motor skills, sensations, perceptions, and learning skills, health issues or any visible physical changes.
In paragraph three it tells us that prior to 1780 economic activity such as agriculture and craftwork was organised by households, and both male and female members of the family contributed of the family’s wellbeing. While in the fourth paragraph it tells us that the distinction of men being the breadwinner and women the housewives did don’t come along until industrialisation when much of productive activity moved to factories and shops. With this significant change Bilton, T.(2002) states “the home came to be understood not as a family enterprise, but as a refuge from the world of work”. With this newly developed ideology there were juristic consequences for all women, wives and daughters in different ways. Consequences such as a life of idleness , desperate search of a husband, prevention of a higher education, and for the working class women , it was exclusion from skilled occupations , lower wages and sharper segregation.
.I agree with the fact that social workers are using Bio psychosocial model in clients such as by looking at the clients biological, psychological ("which entails thoughts, emotions, and behaviors"), and social ("socio-economical, socio-environmental, and cultural") factors that affect the clients because by doing that the social worker will get to know the entire information about the client rather than the client problems only. As a result, that is how the social worker will help the client with his or her problem.
Medical social workers collaborate with other human service workers to help severely ill patients, suffering from physical and psychological issues. Throughout the many challenges of patients, medical social workers and other professionals meet the common and severe needs of people with physical and mental illnesses. Andrews, Darnell, McBride, & Gehlert (2013) state “Social workers are familiar with the complex and overlapping systems that must be negotiated to ensure that the social, psychological and economic needs of individuals and groups are addressed in a way that underscores optimal health” (p. 67). Once the patient discuss their core issues with the medical social worker and other medical staff members at the hospital, physicians, nurses, and medical social workers can give patients ' positive feedback the concerns their health and well-being. Medical social workers interact with each other for the patient’s safety.