Citation :

Chimbuzo Eberechukwu Chukwuemerie, Mercy Omosefe Omosuzi, Obiageli Chinyelu Chukwuemerie, 2024. "Knowledge and Perception of the Relevance and Roles of Medical Social Workers among Outpatients Community of University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria" ESP International Journal of Science, Humanities & Management Studies(ESP-IJSHMS)  Volume 2, Issue 2: 18-27.

Abstract :

Medical social work services appear to be underutilised even with the recent global increase of medical social work within hospitals and healthcare settings, particularly among Nigeria's outpatient community. This study aimed to investigate University College Hospital [UCH], Ibadan, Nigeria outpatients' knowledge and impression of the importance and functions of medical social workers. The survey design used in the study was descriptive. The tool was a structured questionnaire that the participant self-developed. Based on the average number of outpatients per day (1423) in UCH, Ibadan, 16 clinic departments were used to proportionately select a sample size of 312 respondents. Three hundred correctly completed questionnaire copies were collected from the 312 copies that were distributed, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21. The data was presented using descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, frequencies, percentages, and pie charts. The study's findings demonstrated that outpatients had a positive opinion of the importance and function of medical social work as well as a solid understanding of those functions. The study suggested that in order to increase understanding among others, medical social workers should collaborate with the media to raise awareness of their duties and significance. For a nationwide evaluation, it was recommended that this study be repeated throughout the six geopolitical zones.

References :

[1] Amann, S. C. (2013). Perceptions of social work and collaboration with clinical social workers: Clergy perspectives. Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers, 1-6. Retrieved from https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/144

[2] Baiza, S. and Tellez, N. (2018). Perceptions of social work in acute settings. Northridge: California State University. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.ng/books/about/Perception_of Social_Work_in-Acute_Setti.html?id=7Uf3zQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y

[3] Beaulaurier, R.L. (2002). Health Services social workers' activities with people with disabilities: predicters of community practice. The Journal of Sociology & Social welfare Vol.29:Iss.4, Article 6. pp. 83 - 89. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/issw/vol29/iss4/6

[4] Bolgün, C., & Sahin, F. (2018). Public perception and attitudes about social work in Turkey. International Social Work62(5), 1329-1342. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208774105

[5] Bridget, P., & Julie, Y. (2015, March). A review of the literature concerning what the public and users of social work services in England think about the conduct and competence of social workers . Norwich: UEA Consulting Ltd.

[6] Deepthi, B. (2018, April 1). An analysis on public's perception of social work. Journal of Social Work Education and Practice, 3(2), 75-78. Retrieved February 2020 from http://www.jswep.in/index.php/jswep/article/view/57

[7] Ettore, B., & Constantin, B. (2018, July). The elusive definition of knowledge. Emergent knowledge strategies: Strategic thinking in knowledge management, 1-22. doi:DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60657-6

[8] Iyidorough, A.E. (2013). Social work administration in Nigeria, challenegs and prospects. Keynote Address delivered during a 2-Day Stakeholders Meeting on Professionalization of Social Work Organized by Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW) held at 5GfF Main Conference Room, Federal Secretariat Complex. Phase 1, Sehu Shagari Way, Abuja from Tuesday 26th to Wednesday 27th March, 2013.

[9] Judd, R. & Sheffield, S. (2010). Social work in health care. Hospital social work: Contemporary roles and professional activities, 49(9), 856-871. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2010.499825

[10] Kagan, M., Itzick, M, & Tal-Katz, P. (2017). Predictors of the self-reported likelihood of seeking social worker help among people with physical disabilities. Soc Work in Public Health, 32(6): 369–381. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2017.1327387.Epub 2017 Jun 14. PMID:28613999

[11] Kagan, M. (2016). Public attitudes and knowledge about social workers in Israel. Journal of Social Work, 16(3), 322-343. doi:10.1177/1468017315572937

[12] Lumen, (n.d.). What is perception? Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/msstate-waymaker-psychology/chapter/reading-what-is-perception/

[13] Masteneh, Z. & Mouseli, L. (2013). Patients awareness of rights: Insights from a developing country. International Journal of Hhealth Policy and Management, 143-146.

[14] Mayo clinic college of medicine and science (2023). Medical social worker. https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careeers/careers-a-z/medical-social-worker/

[15] National Association of Social Workers. (2016). NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings. National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=fFnsRHX-4HE%3D&portalid=0

[16] Ogunlesi, T.A. & Olanrewaju, D.M. (2010). Socio-demographic factors and appropriate health seeking behaviour for childhood illnesses. J Trop Pediatrics, 56(6), 79-85.

[17] Orji, C., Orji, M., Oweibi, J. (2015). The Role of the social worker in the management of psychosocial problems of hospital patients. Research on Humanities and social sciences, 5(12), 186 - 190.

[18] Pandit, S.A., & Dar, N.A. (2018). An overview of medical social work. International Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR), 6(9), 211-214. doi:10.21474/IJAR01/7665

[19] Parast, S.M. & Allaii, B. (2014, January). The role of social work in health care system . Journal of Social Science for Policy Implications , 2(2), 59-68.

[20] Raiz, R. & Safaraz, S. (2015). Need and importance of medical social work practice in Pakistan with special reference to Karachi City. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2(12), 73-80.

[21] Resse, D. J. (2011). Interdisciplinary perceptions of the social work role in hospice: building upon the classic Kulys and Davis study. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 383-406.

[22] Ruth, B.J. & Marshall, J.W. (2017, December). A history of social work in public health. American Journal of Public Health, 107(3), 236-242. doi:10.105/AJPH.2017.304005

[23] Staff, H. (2016, July 31). HIT Consultant-Healthcare Needs Social Workers for Outpatient Care. Retrieved from https://hitconsultant.net/2016/07/31/healthcare-social-workers-for-outpatient-care/

[24] SocialWorkLicenseMap.com. (2024). Social Work: Academic Discipline. Retrieved from https:// SocialWorkLicenseMap.com>…

[25] Soumen, A. (2018, September). The study of medical social worker how was this evolved in india and how medical social service officer in AIIMS can change the problem faced by patients. ACTA Scientific Medical Sciences, 2(6), 19-30.

[26] Tabish, S.A. (2011). Outpatient Services in a Hospital. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303374386_OUTPATIENT_SERVICES_IN_A_HOSPITAL

Keywords :

Outpatient Community, Medical Social Work, Roles, Relevance.