Characteristics of Social Work Support in Neonatal and Pediatrics Departments / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

　　We often experience difficulty supporting the pediatric social work because, under the present social welfare system, support services change as patients grow. Recently, studies aimed at establishing practice models have increased in the pediatric social work region. With a view to establishing practice models, we reviewed our experience in the neonatal and pediatrics departments.　　Our investigation found that almost all support requests in the neonatal cases were from our medical staff. For inpatients, request were mostly concerned with hospital discharge support. Requests in behalf of outpatients were consultation about physical examination. Most of the support processes ended up in liaison and coordination or providing information.　　In the pediatric department, the most common route of requests for inpatients was from our medical staff, but for outpatients, the requests came from public institutions and private facilities concerned. Most requests for inpatients were related to the use of the social welfare system. Meanwhile, requests in behalf of outpatients were centered on support of consultation about physical examination.　　From the above, we concluded that in the pediatric social work region, social workers should approach not only patients and their family members but also medical staff and community institutions. We deemed it necessary to coordinate social-welfare services based on a long-term plan, taking into account the growth of children.