| Abstrakt: |
Social work as a specialized field, grounded in scientific knowledge and skills, is more inclined towards problem solving process rather than charity focused approach. Medical social work, as a primary method, deals with the bio-psychosocial-spiritual elements of an individual with a problem and assesses the pliability and strength of the patients, social support systems and their families, to assist the patients resolve their problems independently. Medical social worker (MSW), also known as case-worker or care-worker, has to play a substantial role in the rehabilitation and retrieval of a person. This paper examines the roles played and responsibilities discharged by the Medical Social Workers internationally and specifically with reference to Pakistan. The capacity constraints and challenges confronted by MSWs in hospitals have also been highlighted and some policy implications have been suggested to enhance the capabilities of Medical Social Workers for serving the patients in a befitting manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
