"Psychodrama" is the process of enacting or reenacting relevant aspects or roles from current and past events to instill hope in clients who are facing life issues. This article examines the outcomes of a five-stage psychodrama treatment through a social worker's direct participation in a partial hospitalization program. Observation notes and…

The prevailing model of care for psychiatric patients in the emergency room (ER) is evaluation and disposition, with little or no treatment provided. This article describes the results of a pilot study of a family-based crisis intervention (FBCI) for suicidal adolescents and their families in a large, urban pediatric ER. FBCI is an intervention…

At the turn of the century, the Joint Commission--the nation's largest health care accrediting organization--began requiring spiritual assessments in hospitals and many other mental health settings frequented by Native Americans. Despite high levels of service use, culturally unique forms of spirituality, and a history of oppression in mainstream…

Overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of schizophrenia among African American clients is a longstanding and critical disparity in mental health services. Overdiagnosis of schizophrenia is detrimental because it increases the potential for treatment with the wrong medications. Inadequate assessment of mood disorders, co-occurring substance abuse, and…

A consumer relevant and cost effective model is proposed to provide social services within a health care system, though it threatens the status of hospital social workers. The new agency would be separate from the hospital and other health care facilities in a defined service area.

Surveyed 19 hospital social service administrators to examine the impact of Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). Results indicated increased recognition and increased scrutiny, and changes in discharge planning procedures. (JAC)

Interviewed 80 social workers in 36 acute care hospitals concerning amount of time they spent on and importance of 73 discharge planning tasks. Findings suggest that discharge planning comprises primarily concrete resource provision with counseling component focused on decision making. Time spent on tasks was influenced by prospective payment…

Coded hospital social workers' (n=16) descriptions of ethical dilemmas according to principles in conflict. Most ethical dilemmas involved conflicts between client self-determination and client best interest. Ethical dilemmas were more likely when patient mental status was impaired and when decision making was problematic. Ethical dilemmas were…

Surveyed 128 hospital social workers who worked with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. Found that hospital AIDS social workers had slightly higher rates of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization on Maslach Burnout Inventory but also felt substantially higher level of personal accomplishment. Age, autonomy, and belonging to…

Social work members of ethics committees (n=85) and their respective chairpersons (n=85) were surveyed concerning the emerging role for social workers on hospital ethics committees. Congruence between role expectation and role performance was evaluated within three major areas of social work participation: case consultation, policy, and education.…

This article describes one technique useful to a consultant helping an institution come to grips with current administrative problems. Organizational theory is used as a springboard for planned change in the psychiatric unit of a large hospital. The consultant's role in promoting an analysis of problems is described. (Author)

Studied the participation of elderly patients (N=148) in the planning for discharge from acute care hospitals. Found that most patients participated actively, but that poor patient condition inhibited full participation. Concludes that family control over decision making also limits participation. (Author/ABL)

Presents a perspective to help social workers develop the organizational skills needed to practice effectively in hospitals. Examines the nature of hospitals and the hospital worker's practice-building and practice-implementing skills. Examples illustrate task management, creating power, and developing the work role. (JAC)

Provides guidelines from social work perspective on how social workers and health care professionals can provide bereavement counseling for families whose relatives have died in emergency room. Discusses providing family with privacy and accessibility; keeping family informed; using understandable terminology; speaking directly about death;…

Analyzed factors that affect professionls' decisions to refer hospital patients for social work services. Social workers, nurses, and physicians individually evaluated the social service needs of patients. Identified sources of divergent views among professionals from different disciplines. (JAC)