Harachi, TracyLight, Michael A.2022-07-142022-07-142022-07-142022Light_washington_0250O_24174.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/1773/48696Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2022Limited literature is available to describe the practice of medical social work in resource-constrained countries and what is available often provides descriptive accounts of practice rather than explicitly named or systematically identified roles. There was no model for medical social work in Cambodia prior to the implementation of a pilot project at a major national health center in Phnom Penh in 2013. This study examined the perceived role and value of social workers and interactions with medical provider in this setting. METHODSSemi-structured key-informant interviews were conducted with physicians, unit head nurses, social workers, and a social work supervisor at a national health center, where a pilot social work program had been operating since 2013. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using open coding for preliminary theme development with observational data used to triangulate an understanding of the social work role and interdisciplinary interactions. RESULTSResults described group agreement for six primary roles of social workers including information gathering; patient/family education; emotional support and counseling; discharge planning; referrals and linkage; and providing or coordinating material resources. Social workers described subthemes for each of these roles and uniquely identified an additional role in addressing behavioral health issues. Descriptions and examples of each role are presented along with data regarding the processes through which team members learn about the role of social work. DISCUSSIONWhile there was significant agreement across respondent groups regarding the role of medical social workers, discussion focuses on dynamics that may influence differences in perception of the depth and breadth of social work practice particularly with regard to mental health care. Attention is given to the role of education of both medical providers and social workers regarding the scope and practice of social work in health care settings with recommendations made for approaches to continuing education for all team members. Finally, core principles of the evidence-based model of team-based care is considered to describe both existing dimensions of team functioning at the national health center along with an exploration of communication challenges and opportunities to improve team engagement and understanding of social work roles.application/pdfen-USCC BY-NC-NDCambodiaGlobal Social WorkMedical Social WorkSocial Work RolesSocial workHealth sciencesPublic healthGlobal HealthThesis