Medical Setting Social Work Services

Target Group: In-patients in hospitals, out-patients in clinics, chronic patients in PRC/HRC and their families

Nature and Purpose of Services 1. psychosocial assessment 2. counselling 3. organization of educational, supportive, self-help, and therapeutic group and programmes 4. referrals for practical assistance (e.g. CSSA, residential services etc.) 5. discharge planning and follow-up service 6. empirical research 7. consultation with other health-care professionals 8. advocacy of patients’ rights and mobilization of community resources

Counselling and casework service Adjustment to illness and disability Family problems Family violence Bereavement Care-management for psychiatric patients

Tangible service Medical waiver CSSA DA/OAA Trust fund and special grant Residential placement Referral and information on other specialized homes and shelters

Rehab. plan Rehab. plan devised among pt., family members, medical team and social worker Discharge planning Referral of community resources e.g. home help, day care centre, supportive group, recreational activities and volunteer services

Outreaching service Outreaching teams: Geriatric outreaching team and psychiatric outreaching team

Statutory service Mental Health Ordinance Court report Care and protection of children

Group service Therapeutic group, supportive group, mutual help group for patient and caregivers Programme for patient or family Community educational programme

Special Projects Patient Resource Centre Adolescent and Medical Centre, QEH Cancer Centre Hospice Care Unit

PRC/ Cancer Centre/Hospice Care Unit 1. To provide service to patients and relatives in the diagnosis, treatment , pre-discharge, rehab. and terminally ill phases 2. To enhance self-help and mutual help capacity among patients and their carers

PRC/ Cancer Centre/Hospice Care Unit 3. To enable the optimal use of available resources in improving the life of patients through referral and networking 4. To mobilize volunteers among professional groups and the community to assist in patient care

Disease Types served Different types of cancer, different types of psyhciatric illnesses, cardiac disease, renal failure, diabetes, asthma, COPD, anaemia, brain damage, burn, pain etc.

Nature and fieldwork assignment Casework is predominant in MSS unit Group and programmes are the usual practices in PRC/Cancer Centres and Hospice Care Unit Special clinics like AMC, emphases both

Special features Multi-disciplinary approach Cases are illness-related and require tangible services Group: psycho-educational, supportive, therapeutic, innovative practices Volunteer training and collaboration Community networking Empowerment

Requirements: Willing and able to work / communicate in inter-disciplinary team Document progress, assessment and intervention efficiently Mature, work independently, may handle crisis situations Willing and able to learn medical related knowledge on specific illness and its impact

Requirements Be prepared to familiarize with community resources and referral procedures Understand the current development of the medical policy (e g clustering, fee charging, standard drug formulary, Medical Reform, subsidies and funding etc)

Requirements Must attend Infection control training Able to work at day-time