Social Service Units Research Articles

Social Services Provided to Patients Attending Primary Health Care Centers, Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Social Services is an essential part of the PHC procedures. This work prescribes the diversity of services supplied to support quality in health care services at PHC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Methods: The study comprised patients who got social services from the social services overflow unit at PHC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Frequency distribution patient and par shard altered to describe the study population, and par shard produced to explain details of services provided.Results: The social services unit served 411 patients, with 60% married and 80% widowed, 17% illiterate, and 66% had a housing adaptation for the sick and his family. 46.22% average, family support 40.14% good, and connection with the surrounding environment 42.10%, Social Services' Health Status 51.6% chronic sickness and 49.% anxiety, 67% low income, treatment recommendations for social services. Financial aid was provided to 53.5% of patients, 68.6% for procedures, and 31% for other services such as guidance and support.Conclusion: The social service program in PHC is an essential component of primary health care services. It promotes quality improvement in healthcare services. Social services can improve the quality of health care services provided in primary health care. And the same time helping patients to get improved access to health care services through counseling and financial aid. Social services also have a role in improving the awareness of family members of patients' conditions and determinants. Social services in PHCs realize the social responsibility of primary health care services towards the families of patients in the community.

Implementation of Behavior Modification Techniques for Children with Low Social Skills (A Case Study at the Social Protection Service Unit for Children in Garut, West Java)

This research focuses on the application of behavior modification techniques in various specific behaviors agreed upon, aiming to influence the levels of social skills. The research method employed is the Single Subject Design approach. The respondents of this study are children with low social skills receiving services at SATPEL PSA. Instruments used to measure baseline A1, treatment (B1), and baseline A2 are based on the results of behavior assessments, identifying 9 behaviors with 36 specific behaviors. The implementation of behavior modification techniques aims to reduce maladaptive behaviors in children, utilizing motivation techniques, positive reinforcement, modeling, counseling, and self-help groups. The research results indicate that two children, SS and MK, showed increased measurements in cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects during baseline and intervention. The highest results were recorded in the behavioral aspect, while the cognitive aspect showed a comparatively lower improvement.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Reduces Blood Pressure in Older Adults with Hypertension

Introduction: The physiological aging process in older adults may lead to various disturbances in the cardiovascular system, including hypertension. One approach to controlling blood pressure is through progressive muscle relaxation therapy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on blood pressure in older adults with hypertension at the Social Service Unit for Older Adults in Blitar and Nursing Home in Tulungagung in 2023. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental method with a one-group pre-post test design. The population consisted of all older adults with hypertension at the research site in 2023, totaling 80 individuals. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the samples of 39 participants. Observation sheets and a sphygmomanometer were utilized for data collection. Result: The results showed that before receiving progressive muscle relaxation therapy, most participants had stage-1 hypertension, with 23 participants (59%), and stage-2 hypertension, with 16 participants (41%). After the therapy, the majority of participants were included in the stage-1 hypertension category, with 26 participants (67%), and prehypertension, with 5 participants (13%). The Wilcoxon test showed a significant value of ρ = 0.000 < α = (0.05), indicating the effect of progressive muscle relaxation therapy on blood pressure. This means that regular therapy sessions may lead to better blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Conclusion: Progressive muscle relaxation therapy can increase endorphin hormone production and reduce stress levels, thereby stabilizing blood pressure.

Peran Satuan Bakti Pekerja Sosial dalam Penanganan Kasus Anak Terlantar di Kota Kupang Berdasarkan Peraturan Perundang-Undangan di Indonesia

Abandoned children are a type of social welfare problem where the child's physical, mental and spiritual conditions are not met. Social workers have an important role in handling cases of abandoned children in accordance with Indonesian laws and regulations. This research aims to determine the role of the social work service unit in handling cases of abandoned children as well as the challenges and obstacles faced in handling cases of abandoned children. This research uses empirical research methods that are empirical juridical in nature. The sample was selected by purposive sampling, data collection techniques used interviews, observation and documentation review. Social workers strive to rescue children from dangerous environments, help provide temporary shelter if necessary, and collaborate with various parties to ensure the safety and welfare of children, in providing protection for abandoned children social workers identify children who are at risk of experiencing neglect, exploitation or violence, this is done through surveys, direct interactions, or reports from other parties, after identifying children at risk, social workers carry out an in-depth evaluation of their situation by conducting an assessment. The results of the research on the role of social workers in handling abandoned children, namely companions as facilitators and counselors, as service providers or liaisons and advocates, however there are several obstacles and challenges faced, namely unclear identity of children, complex conditions of children's families, long legal processes, limited resources and lack of public awareness.

A silent scream in the pediatric emergency department: child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse and neglect includes any behavior that harms the child or hinders the child's development. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with suspected child abuse or neglect in the pediatric emergency department. Between July 2017 and July 2022, patients admitted to our pediatric emergency department and consulted to the medical social services unit with a preliminary diagnosis of neglect and/or abuse were retrospectively scanned through the registry system. The patients were divided into five groups according to their victimization: physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; neglect; and medical child abuse (MCA)-Munchausen by proxy. A total of 371 children were included in the study. Two hundred twenty-two (59.8%) of the patients were female and the median age was 161months [IQR (46-192)]. Then, 56.3% of the patients were in the adolescent age group. The most common admission time period was between 16.00 and 24.00 (n 163, 43.9%). Then, 24.2% of the patients were exposed to physical abuse, 8.8% to sexual abuse, 26.1% to emotional abuse, 50.4% to neglect, and 3.2% to MCA. One hundred eight (29.1%) patients were followed up as inpatients in the pediatric intensive care unit. Four of the patients (1%) had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and the deaths were in patients under 2years of age. Conclusion: Pediatric emergency departments are one of the important units visited by child maltreatment patients. Victimized children may reflect their silent screams with various clinical presentations. Infants are at the greatest risk of suffering serious or fatal injuries. Health professionals working in the emergency department have an important role in detecting, treating, and preventing recurrence of child neglect and abuse. What is Known: • The pediatric emergency department is an important entry point in the health care system for children who experience maltreatment. • It has a wide spectrum of physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect. What is New: • A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose cases of child maltreatment. • Infants are at the greatest risk of suffering serious or fatal injuries.

Producing knowledge through reflection - the case of individual-based systematic follow-up in social services

ABSTRACT Ways of producing local systematic knowledge in social services have gained attention. In Sweden, individual-based systematic follow-up (ISF) has emerged as a way to follow-up on interventions and produce local knowledge. Practitioners are responsible for collecting and compiling as well as interpreting and taking action based on ISF results. This article aims to understand how knowledge is produced within the ISF practice by looking at when and how practitioners reflect on ISF results. The research was conducted within social service units providing non-institutional interventions for children and families in two Swedish municipalities, with experience from working with the models LOKE (Local Evidence) and FIT (Feedback-Informed Treatment). The material consists of 8 observations, 45 documents, and 21 interviews with family therapists, heads of units and departments, executive directors, and development officers. The findings show how individual and collective reflections are central in producing knowledge from ISF results and why conditions for reflection need to be organizationally facilitated. It is oriented towards sense making within the context of practitioners’ daily work in relation to their knowledge and experience. Collective reflection on ISF results, undertaken with colleagues or service users, suggests a co-production of knowledge. However, depending on the ISF model, certain perspectives become more or less prominent, for example the degree of service user involvement. This is important to take into account when choosing an ISF model to implement in practice.

Analysis of Rehabilitation and Treatment Strategies for Violent Offenders in Light of Criminal Psychology Doctrines

The purpose of this study was to analyze rehabilitation and treatment strategies for violent offenders in light of criminal psychology doctrines. The present research is qualitative, based on a descriptive-analytical approach. The method for gathering information and data in this study is library-based. The tool used under such a method is note-taking. This study initially describes and introduces the major and key concepts of the discussion to avoid redefining them during the primary analysis. This section details two main themes of the discussion: mental illnesses and violent crimes, along with their respective details and attachments. The next section aims to address the role of mental illness from a legal perspective, along with legislative, preventive, punitive, and other aspects of violent crimes within the framework of law and punishment. According to Article 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code, “In crimes punishable by death, amputation, life imprisonment, or fourth-degree or higher discretionary punishments, as well as in intentional crimes against physical integrity, for which the compensation (diyah) amounts to one-third of the full diyah or more, the investigating judge is obliged to issue an order to establish a personal file for the accused with the social services unit during the investigation process.” This personal file, separate from the criminal file, includes: (a) a social worker’s report on the financial, family, and social situation of the accused, and (b) a medical and psychiatric report. Additionally, under Paragraph (c) of Article 279 of this code, a summary of the personal file or the mental status of the accused is one of the elements to be mentioned in the indictment. The legislator implicitly addressed the issue of creating a personal file in several articles of the Islamic Penal Code, including Article 18, which states: “Discretionary punishment is a penalty that does not fall under the categories of hudud, qisas, or diyah and is determined and implemented by law in cases of the commission of religiously prohibited acts or violations of governmental regulations. The type, amount, method of execution, and regulations concerning mitigation, suspension, termination, and other discretionary rulings are determined by law.”

Perceived Burden of Care among Parents of Children with Sickle Cell Disease.

Children affected with Sickle Cell Disease mostly depend on their parents for assistance which creates physical, emotional, social, and financial burdens among the parents. The objective of this study was to find out the level of perceived burden of care among parents of children with sickle cell disease in a hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used with a quantitative approach. The data were collected using a structured interview schedule using the Zarit Burden Interview scale among 152 parents attending the social service unit of Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj. A nonprobability purposive sampling technique was used. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 20. The Chi-square test was used to measure the association between the level of burden of care and selected variables. One hundred and fifty-two parents were included in the study, among which more than half (58.6%) were fathers. More than half (52.0%) of parents perceived mild to moderate burden with a Mean±SD score of level of burden is 1.26±0.44. A significant statistical association was found between the level of burden of care and the relationship to the child (p=0.002), and the type of family (p=0.04). The study showed that the majority of the parents' perceived a mild to moderate burden.

A study on utilization of free service from Social Service Unit in Karnali academy of health science

Introduction: Nepal's Interim Constitution 2006 (BS 2063) established health as a fundamental right and the Three Year Interim Plan (TYIP) has accordingly provisioned for social security (service and facility related) programmes. In order to coordinate and effectively implement such services and facilities as required, it is important to create coordination units in hospitals. The Social Service Unit (SSU) is being established in Karnali Academy of Health Science, Jumla for the purpose Objectives: To find out the utilization of free service from social service unit in Karnali Academy of Health Science Jumla Study Design: Retrospective research design was used to identify utilization of free service received from Social Service Unit in Karnali academy of Health Science. Results: In this study, the total client visiting Social Service Unit for free service in Karnali Academy of Health Science within three years from 2077 shrawan 1st to 2080 asar 31th were 1410 as in first year 077/078 total client receiving service were 265 similarly in 078/079 and 079/080 were 373 and 772. Female service receiver were maximum in 077/789(146) and 079/80(388) and male (209) in 078/79. Maximum service receivers were of Jumla district and above 60 year of population. Conclusion: This study proves that social service unit in Karnali Academy of Health Science has been functioning according to guideline prescribed by Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP)

Den mätande socialtjänsten

The measuring social service organization – the use of individual-based systematic follow-up of interventions For the past two decades, national policy in Sweden has repeatedly argued that social services should follow the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP) and that intervention effects should be informed by research. Conversely, there is a recurring critique against the “EBP movement” concerning a too narrow view of evidence and limited applicability in social services. Despite these differences, common perceptions advocate a need for local and systematic production of knowledge about the significance of interventions for service users. Individual-based systematic follow-ups (ISF) of interventions aggregated at group level could be a relatively undisputed path towards an increased knowledge base of social services. Therefore, the article examines and problematizes different dimensions of how ISF is practiced and how results come into use in social services. The research was conducted within social service units providing non-institutional treatment for children, young people, and families in two Swedish municipalities. Both have several years of experience using the ISF models LOKE (Local Evidence) and FIT (Feedback-Informed Treatment) respectively. The empirical material consists of 8 observations, 45 documents, and 21 interviews with family therapists, heads of units and departments, executive directors, and development officers. The findings reveal a wide range of types of use of ISF, which both overlap and presuppose each other and where the use differs depending on the user’s organizational level and role. Although the results are rarely used for development purposes in distinct ways, it is noted that the ISF models and their results play important roles within the organizations, for example strategic, legitimacy-enhancing and conceptual perspective-giving, which also affect work within the units.

Changes in Psychiatric Symptoms in Swedish Mothers Who Took Part in Project Support: An Intervention for Mothers Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence With Children Who Have Developed Conduct Problems.

Project Support (PS) is an evidence-based individual support and parenting program developed for mothers exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) whose children have developed conduct disorders. This Swedish feasibility study focuses on changes in the mothers' psychiatric symptoms, in relation to social and emotional support received as part of PS. In a within-subject design in a naturalistic setting (i.e., 10 social service units), mothers (n = 35) reported a significant decrease in symptoms, but from an individual perspective, most mothers still suffered from clinical levels of psychiatric symptoms. The need for additional interventions for mothers exposed to IPV is discussed.

THE EFFECT OF LIFE REVIEW THERAPY ON DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY AT UPT ELDERLY SOCIAL SERVICE BINJAI PROVINCE OF SUMATERA UTARA 2021

Life review therapy is one of therapy to reducing depression, building confidence, psychological well-being, and contentment in elderlylife. Purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of life review therapy on depression in elderly at Binjai erderly social service unit Province of North Sumatera 2021. This research method uses one-group pretest – posttest design. The sampling Technique was purposive sampling, with a sample of 30 respondents. The measuring instrument used by the Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire. The results showed that the score before life review therapy is 7,20 (SD=2,592), and after life review therapy 4,13 (SD=2,825). Statistical test results show the life review therapy affected depression in elderly at Province North Sumatera Binjai erderly social service unit with paired t-test, ρ value = 0,001. This research is expected to be an alternative to reducing depression, improving well-being and quality of elderlylife.

The adaptation and fidelity tool to support social service practitioners in balancing fidelity and adaptations: Longitudinal, mixed-method evaluation study.

Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) seldom fit seamlessly into a setting and are often adapted. The literature identifies practitioners' management of fidelity and adaptations as problematic but offers little guidance. This study aimed to investigate practitioners' perceptions of the feasibility and usability of an intervention aimed to support them in fidelity and adaptation management when working with EBIs. The intervention, the adaptation and fidelity tool (A-FiT), was developed based on the literature, along with input from social service practitioners and social services' Research and Development units' personnel. The intervention consisted of two workshops where the participants were guided through a five-step process to manage fidelity and adaptations. It was tested in a longitudinal mixed-method intervention study with 103 practitioners from 19 social service units in Stockholm, Sweden. A multimethod data collection was employed, which included interviews at follow-up, questionnaires at baseline and follow-up (readiness for change and self-rated knowledge), workshop evaluation questionnaires (usability and feasibility) after each workshop, and documentation (participants' notes on worksheets). To analyze the data, qualitative content analysis, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were performed. Overall, the practitioners had a positive perception of the intervention and perceived it as relevant for fidelity and adaptation management (mean ratings over 7.0 on usability and feasibility). The workshops also provided new knowledge and skills to manage fidelity and adaptations. Furthermore, the intervention provided insights into the practitioners' understanding about adaptation and fidelity through a more reflective approach. Practical tools are needed to guide professionals not only to adhere to intervention core elements but also to help them to manage fidelity and adaptation. The proposed A-FiT intervention for practitioners' management of both fidelity and adaptation is a novel contribution to the implementation literature. Potentially, the next step is an evaluation of the intervention's impact in an experimental design.

THE EFFECT OF WILLIAM'S FLEXION EXERCISE ON THE LEVEL OF BACK PAIN DOWNTOWN ELDERLY IN THE TRESNA SOCIAL INTEGRATED SERVICE UNIT WERDHA BLITAR IN TULUNGAGUNG DISTRICT

Old age is a factor that aggravates the occurrence of lower back pain due to the decline in body functions, especially bone. William's flexion exercise is one of the therapeutic exercises for lower back pain sufferers by strengthening the abdominal muscles and maximus gluteus muscles and stretching the extensor muscles of the back. This study aimed to know the effect of William flexion training on lower back pain levels in older people in the Blitar Age Blind Social Service Unit at Tulungagung Dormitory. This research uses the Pre Experimental Design model one group pre-test - post-test design. The population of this study were all elderly at UPT Social Service of Tresna Werdha Blitar Tulungagung Dormitory who experienced low back pain; the sample was taken with a total sampling technique of 33 respondents. The variable of therapy-free William flexion is the dependent variable of lower back pain. The study was conducted on March 30-April 1, 2018, with data processing using the Wilcoxon signed rank test with the SPSS program. The result of the research was obtained before the therapy of William's flexion. Most respondents had severe back pain, 19 respondents (57.6%), and after the therapy of William's flexion, almost all respondents had mild back pain, as many as 27 respondents (81.8%). The result of the statistical test of Wilcoxon signed rank by using the SPSS program got the result P Value = 0.000 <0.05, so H1 is accepted, which means there is the influence of William flex exercise to lower back pain level at elderly in the Technical Service Unit of Tresna Werdha Blitar at Tulungagung year 2018. William's flexion exercises will increase muscle elasticity, reduce pain, and restore work to some muscle groups. William's flexion movement is done slowly and rhythmically to stimulate the sensory nerve fibers that will inhibit the activation of pain receptors in Tresna Werdha Blitar Tulungagung Hostel.

Crisis management in practice: a dynamic process intertwined with daily work performance.

This paper explores how a social services unit in Sweden coped with the large influx of unaccompanied children during the refugee situation in 2015. Crisis management is approached using social practice theory to examine how everyday work practices and their constituent resources informed personnel's management of the chaotic circumstances. The research data consist of practice-based interviews with managerial staff from social services and operational staff at homes for unaccompanied children, as well as manuals and printed routines. The analysis demonstrates that they coped with the challenges posed by the refugee situation by adopting competences, mobilising meanings, and adapting material resources belonging to different practices of everyday work. The paper concludes by emphasising the importance of studying crisis management from a practice-based perspective as a complement to framing it as a static asset of organisations-governed by institutionalised practices-which has implications for defining what constitutes crisis management and who can become crisis managers.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF DAILY LIVING ACTIVITY (ADL) WITH ANXIETY LEVEL IN THE ELDERLY AT SOCIAL SERVICE UPT DEAF, SPEECH AND ELDERLY SOCIAL SERVICES PEMATANG SIANTAR

Activity Daily Living (ADL) is a basic skill that a person must have in taking care of himself, including clothing, eating, drinking, toileting, bathing and making up. The elderly will experience a decrease in carrying out daily activities and can directly cause harm to the elderly. Elderly is someone who has entered the age of 60 years and over. This study aims to see the relationship of daily activities (ADL) with the level of the elderly at the Social Service Unit for the Deaf, Speech and Elderly, Pematangsiantar social service. This type of research is descriptive correlation through cross sectional approach. This research was conducted from September to October 2020. The population in this study were the elderly at the Social Service Unit for the Deaf, Speech and Elderly at the Pematangsiantar Social Service as many as 30 people. Sampling in this study is using total sampling, which means that all members of the population can be sampled, namely 30 people. The results of this study were that data processing using SPSS, in an indigo P = 0.03 (P <0.05), so that Ho was rejected, meaning that this study had a statistically close relationship between activities of daily life (ADL) and the level of reduction in elderly and elderly at the Social Service Unit for the Deaf, Speech and Elderly, Pematangsiantar Social Service.

Double the Trouble?: An Investigation of How Social Stressors and Time Pressure Simultaneously and Interdependently Predict Sleep Quality in Social Workers

PurposeSocial service employees often fulfill their mandate under tight time schedules, and deal with social stressors. This can result in significant health impairments. By means of one cross-sectional and two intensive longitudinal studies, the present paper aimed to understand how time pressure and social stressors might impact sleep quality. It was also tested whether social stressors amplified the negative association between time pressure and sleep impairments in social workers.MethodsStudy 1 was a cross-sectional questionnaire study on 52 social service employees, while study 2 included a 7-day diary study design (N = 62 social workers) with up to 138 daily measurements. Study 3 applied a 2-week diary and actigraphy assessment, involving a complete social service unit sample (N = 9).ResultsConcerning the moderating role of social stressors, study 1 found social stressors to amplify the effects of time pressure on sleep latency. Multilevel regression analyses of studies 2 and 3 revealed daily time pressure to be a significant predictor of sleep fragmentation the upcoming night. Study 3 further uncovered daily social stressors to positively predicted sleep fragmentation and negatively sleep duration. Study 2 again showed the amplifying interaction effect between daily social stressors and time pressure on sleep fragmentation, but study 3 did not show that interaction.ConclusionThe findings show how job stressors might disturb the sleep quality of social workers also with amplifying risk. Accordingly, social work needs work design prevention efforts that consider the complex inter-play between occupational stressors, as only then recovery processes can be protected.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF DAILY LIVING ACTIVITY (ADL) WITH ANXIETY LEVEL IN THE ELDERLY AT SOCIAL SERVICE UPT DEAF, SPEECH AND ELDERLY SOCIAL SERVICES PEMATANG SIANTAR

Activity Daily Living (ADL) is a basic skill that a person must have in taking care of himself, including clothing, eating, drinking, toileting, bathing and making up. The elderly will experience a decrease in carrying out daily activities and can directly cause harm to the elderly. Elderly is someone who has entered the age of 60 years and over. This study aims to see the relationship of daily activities (ADL) with the level of the elderly at the Social Service Unit for the Deaf, Speech and Elderly, Pematangsiantar social service. This type of research is descriptive correlation through cross sectional approach. This research was conducted from September to October 2020. The population in this study were the elderly at the Social Service Unit for the Deaf, Speech and Elderly at the Pematangsiantar Social Service as many as 30 people. Sampling in this study is using total sampling, which means that all members of the population can be sampled, namely 30 people. The results of this study were that data processing using SPSS resulted in an indigo P = 0.03 (P <0.05), so that Ho was rejected, meaning that this study had a statistically close relationship between activities of daily life (ADL) and the level of reduction in elderly and elderly at the Social Service Unit for the Deaf, Speech and Elderly, Pematangsiantar Social Service.

Optimization of the Role of Social Worker Service Units in Legal Protection Effort against Children in Contact with the Law

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has been identified as a global public health problem of human rights concern. It is a global issue with far reaching consequences for the physical, reproductive, and mental health of women, regardless of social, economic, religious or cultural group. Most of the times, IPV is usually perpetrated by a husband or an intimate male partner of a woman or girl and this is often due to the emotional attachment with or economic dependency of the women on the perpetrators of violence. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measure, although effective in reducing the disease spread has led to unintended negative consequences. The social, economic and financial distress experienced during the COVID-19 lockdown period has increased the prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence. The financial difficulty associated with the lock-down period has been known to precipitate stress and frustration, and subsequent negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse and depression; all of which are baseline triggers for intimate partner violence. This has been labelled the silent pandemic. This article examines the rise in incidences of Intimate Partner violence in Nigeria during the COVID-19 Pandemic and contends that Individual Risk Factors, Financial Dependence on the Abuser, Poor Implementation of the rights of women, Cultural Perception of Women, Poor Governance and Resource Management, Lack of Adequate Social Welfare Palliative Schemes, in addition to the complications arising from dealing with COVID-19 pandemic are major factors that have resulted in the surge of Intimate Partner Violence in Nigeria. This work underscores recommendations to curb Intimate Partner violence in Nigeria during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure better realization of the rights and welfare of women and girls such as Legal Framework Reform, Socio Economic Empowerment of Women and girls, Community Mobilization and Behaviour Change Communication, Awareness Creation, and establishment of Sexual Assault Referral and Counselling Centres.

Social Workers in Pediatric Intensive Care Units: A Physician Perspective

Objective: The role of social workers, who are beginning to be integrated into the entire health system, is now becoming more and more understood. In our study, we aimed to discuss the duties of social workers at PICU, the results of their work in harmony with the physicians, and their importance for the intensive care team. Material and Methods: Sixtysix children aged between 1 month and 18 years old who were asked for social service consultation between January 2019 and December 2020 at our hospital’s PICU were included in the study. The age, diagnosis, sex, marital status (married-divorced), number of days of hospitalization, number of recurrent hospitalization, reason and result of consultation, necessity of psychiatric consultation and frequency of follow-up were retrospectively examined and recorded through the hospital information system. The collected data were analyzed by means of SPSS (version 22.0, SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The median age (months) (min-max) was found to be 172, 50 (6-209), and the median (min-max) duration of hospitalization (days) was found to be 2 (1-76). Family neglect was found to be the most common cause of social work indications (77.3%; n: 51). The number of patients who were given social counseling and referred to a psychiatrist was 25 (37.9%). Family neglect and abuse were detected in 5 (7.6%) patients. Apart from these, it was observed that problems such as drug supply, financial support, ID application, home device supply assistance, care center approvals and child custody were solved in each 1 (1.5%) patient. Conclusion: The inclusion of social workers in the children’s intensive care unit teams can also prevent many social problems that can be neglected otherwise. Physicians are more focused on patient treatment, so we believe that it will be beneficial to question the family and social status of patients together with a social service unit and specialists integrated into children’s intensive care units.