Medical Social Workers’ Perceptions about Their Professional Challenges in Saudi Medical Institutions in the Light of COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The current research aims at verifying medical social workers’ perceptions about their professional challenges in Saudi medical institutions in the light of COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the research objectives, a descriptive analytical research design was used. The research utilized a questionnaire designed to verify medical social workers’ perceptions about the professional challenges they face in Saudi medical institutions was completed by research participants. The participants included N = 212 medical social workers from 32 Saudi public medical institutions. The research was conducted during the academic year 2020/2021. Results showed that the participants face challenges that were associated with COVID-19, the medical social workers, the medical institution management, and the patient. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in the responses of the participants to the professional challenges according to gender and academic qualification variables, whereas there were statistically significant differences based on age, years of experience, and training courses variables. The research recommendations include: holding more training courses and programs for supporting effective professional practices among medical social workers and promoting their relevant knowledge and skills. Follow-up studies are suggested for investigating medical social workers’ performance in medical institutions and presenting a proposed framework to develop their performance.