'We are essential:' Pediatric health care social workers' perspectives on being designated essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soc Work Health Care
; 61(1): 36-51, 2022.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1671785
ABSTRACT
Continued provision of essential services is critical to maintaining society's functioning during a crisis. During COVID-19, lockdowns and restrictions designed to preserve the public's health forced an examination of what it means to be an essential worker. Drawing from thematic analyses of focus group data from 55 social workers employed in a large, urban, pediatric, quaternary hospital, this study examines the perspectives of hospital social workers on the meaning of the essential status designation of social work. Findings revealed themes pertaining the substance of social work, the ways in which essential status is carried out, and implications of the designation not only for the future of the profession but also for the populations who receive social work services. The discussion raised important questions about the essential role of social workers in broader health care settings. Our findings suggest that health care systems need to engage in ongoing discussions of how to maximize the efficacy of the social work workforce, both in terms of integration with medical teams and recognition of the important roles social workers play across the hospital system, and facilitate the performance of their essential functions.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Soc Work Health Care
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
00981389.2022.2028696
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