Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical illness"’ Sort:
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Burnout and physical health among social workers: a three-year longitudinal study
- Authors:
- KIM Hansung, JI Juye, KAO Dennis
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 56(3), July 2011, pp.258-268.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The risk of burnout for social works is well documented. However, little is known about its impact on the physical health of social work staff. This paper investigated the relationship between burnout and physical health, using data from a longitudinal study of social workers. Four hundred and six California-registered social workers were surveyed annually over a three-year period. The authors conducted an analysis to test whether burnout predicted changes in physical health over time. Findings revealed that social workers with higher initial levels of burnout later reported more physical health complaints. Also, higher levels of burnout led to a faster rate of deterioration in physical health (including headaches, gastrointestinal problems and respiratory infections) over a one-year period. The authors concluded that these health problems could negatively affect relationships between social workers’ and their clients, and lead to reduced job performance including absenteeism and high turnover.
Returning to work
- Author:
- LINDSAY Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Professional Social Work, December 2004, p.22.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
Gives some tips on techniques which might help those who have been on long-term sick leave to cope with the return to work.
Working till you drop
- Author:
- TAYLOR Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 24.8.00, 2000, p.14.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Judging by the high levels of sickness and early retirement that occur in the profession, social work makes you ill. Argues that fewer managers and more valuing of skills would improve the well being of workers.
Social work approach to health in older people
- Author:
- SCRUTTON S.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Today, 28.7.88, 1988, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
Calls for a holistic approach rather than a mechanical one, in which social work does not play second fiddle to the health professionals.
When social workers have serious physical illnesses: changes in use of self and ethical dilemmas
- Author:
- POORVU Nancy Levitan
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 40(2), 2015, pp.e1-e9.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Social workers with serious physical illnesses have occasionally narrated first-person accounts of their illness, but no previous study of any magnitude has examined the impact of illness on the therapeutic process, specifically the changes in use of self and ethical dilemmas. This article describes an exploratory, mixed-methods study that begins to fill this gap. Participants were 16 licensed independent clinical social workers who had experienced a serious physical illness within the past three years, but not less than one year ago, and who remained employed. Results indicated that the presence of illness often required accommodations that changed the participants' sense of self and their use of self with clients. Although some changes had a positive impact on the therapeutic process, participants also reported a negative impact of serious physical illness around the central theme of 'How do I take care of myself and still take care of others?' The most important finding of this study was that usually prudent social workers with serious physical illnesses experienced ethical dilemmas and some worked with impairments, at least temporarily. Such practitioners are often left to recognize their difficulties, adhere to professional standards of care, and initiate resolutions alone. (Publisher abstract)
Sick staff syndrome
- Author:
- FRANCIS Joy
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 20.8.92, 1992, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Long-term sick leave among social services staff has increased dramatically over the past few years. Looks at the steps being taken to monitor and alleviate the problem.
Promoting the psychosocial health of the elderly: the role of social workers
- Author:
- CHONG Alice M.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 44(1/2), 2006, pp.91-109.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper considers the psychosocial health of older people, especially in Hong Kong and China, noting the statistical mis-match between high life satisfaction scores and significantly above average suicide rates. Reasons for this inconsistency are considered, and social workers are warned to be aware that, despite a general climate of high life satisfaction, there is likely to be a minority of older people who are very unhappy and require help. The weakening of traditional support networks is likely to exacerbate this problem, as well as increasing the demand for formal health and social care services. The implications of these trends for social workers are discussed in relation to their engagement with individual older people, including building up networks of social support; their role as advocates to empower older people at the community level; and their professional role at international level to share best practice. Finally, social workers are advised to address their own attitudes towards older people, and keep their knowledge of physical and mental health conditions up to date. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
How honesty could harm your career
- Author:
- TICKLE Louise
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 18.10.07, 2007, pp.14-15.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The General Social Care Council's official standards seem to suggest social workers with health problems present a potential danger to clients. The author reports on a row over discriminatory bias. The article also features a brief case study of one social worker who was open about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Social services sickness absence survey 1998/99
- Author:
- EMPLOYERS' ORGANISATION
- Publisher:
- Employers' Organisation
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 36p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Presents findings of the 1999 survey of sickness absence in local governments in England and Wales. Figures are broken down by specific occupational groups, by cause, and by length of absence. Results are compared with previous surveys and variations between social services departments analysed.
Wandsworth throws down the gauntlet
- Author:
- COMERFORD Cathy
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 30.9.99, 1999, pp.10-11.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Reports on how Wandsworth Council's tough new sick leave policy has left social workers in the borough bewildered. They are wondering why the council has taken its new stance, when absenteeism in not deemed to be a problem and the risk to morale is so obvious.