Handbook of Health Social Work

by Sarah Gehlert

The Handbook of Health Social Work provides a comprehensive and evidence-based overview of contemporary social work practice in health care. Written from a wellness perspective, the chapters cover the spectrum of health social work settings with contributions from a wide range of experts. The resulting resource offers both a foundation for social work practice in health care and a guide for strategy, policy, and program development in proactive and actionable terms. Three sections present the The Foundations of Social Work in Health Care provides information that is basic and central to the operations of social workers in health care, including conceptual underpinnings; the development of the profession; the wide array of roles performed by social workers in health care settings; ethical issues and decision - making in a variety of arenas; public health and social work; health policy and social work; and the understanding of community factors in health social work. Health Social Work A Spectrum of Critical Considerations delves into critical practice issues such as theories of health behavior; assessment; effective communication with both clients and other members of health care teams; intersections between health and mental health; the effects of religion and spirituality on health care; family and health; sexuality in health care; and substance abuse. Health Social Selected Areas of Practice presents a range of examples of social work practice, including settings that involve older adults; nephrology; oncology; chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS; genetics; end of life care; pain management and palliative care; and alternative treatments and traditional healers. The first book of its kind to unite the entire body of health social work knowledge, the Handbook of Health Social Work is a must-read for social work educators, administrators, students, and practitioners.

Genres: Social Work

768 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sullivan Minivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite dry - but what do you expect - this is a textbook. A compilation of academic papers on social work in healthcare. Good breadth of material, and you learn quite a lot about various sectors of the healthcare system and what role social workers can play within them. Found myself referencing the disability chapter in other settings - it's a good one.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful text, highly recommend for anyone in a healthcare setting. Very specific chapters for different disciplines. Disability chapter especially enlightening for me.