Social Worker and Healthcare - Case Study Example

Social worker and Healthcare (UNIT 2B) Introduction The following case study represents a scenario of apatient that was involved in a road accident and needed urgent medical attention. Unfortunately, she was not conversant in speaking English; therefore, it was a problem to the healthcare providers at Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. In addition to that, the woman was stout believer of Islamic Faith and had issue with Male doctor serving her. Since there was no female doctor at the moment, it took effort from other nurses to convince her for the treatment by the male Doctor. The woman was treated and referred to other organizations that would encourage her that indeed the doctor did nothing wrong against her religion. Full detail of the scenario is discussed below. Situation For this case, a woman of middle age (35 years) who was unfortunate and got multiple injuries. The lady was involved in fatal accident at Whitechapel road, where the vehicle she was travelling in, had a collision with another vehicle. It is believed that, the other driver was drunk; therefore that was the cause of the accident. Interview The interview might take place at the surgery ward at the London Hospital in Whitechapel. This is located along Whitechapel road, London. Service providers The following people will provide requisite services to the injured lady: surgeon, nurse, admission officer. Possible questions to be asked by the service providers Doctor: How did the accident occur? Which side of the leg do you feel too much pain while moving? Which part of the hand do you feel great pain when you stretch? Have you ever been involved in another accident? If yes how severe was it? Do you have any medical problem? If yes, specify. Where else do you feel pain? Actually, the doctor asks these questions to get to understand how the patient is feeling and in addition to that, get to which therapy will be best for the patient. Nurse: How are you fairing on, feeling better? Have you taken your medication? What challenge are you experiencing? Generally nurse will be determined to make the patient feel comfortable and tap any information that they can find important to share with the doctor. Admission officer: What is your name? When were you born? What is the name of the next-of-kin? Where do you reside? Admission officer are determined in collecting personal information from the patient that can be used I locating family member, in case, need arises. Standard procedures for the patient to take an X-ray (Radiology) Since the patient is non-English speaking, it would be wise to have an interpreter to take her throw the procedure required. Use of technical jargon is highly discouraged, simple language usage is advised and vital information should be repeated till one is certain the patient has understood. The X-ray to be conducted is to determine where actually the fracture has occurred. In addition to that, due to the severity of the injury the checking the level of skin bruises. Procedures for X-Ray The patient should remove any metallic jewelry from her body Position herself as requested by the technician In case of past metallic surgery one should inform the doctor since those will block the rays. Conflict that might arise Since the lady is from Islamic faith, she does not feel comfortable being served by a male doctor and an X-ray Technician. Though, it might be hard to convince a stout believer of this faith, something has to be done to ensure she is treated to prevent further complication of her state. In case, there are no women doctor specialized to handle her, team of nurse will approach her and try to explain the situation to her. They will join the doctor during the process. The presence of other women (nurses) during the process will instill hope to the patient. Possible or likely outcome(s) of the session, including details of relevant appeals procedures Since the lady was involved in an accident, the matter has to include the authority. Therefore, the report from the doctor will be copied to the police department of London. The police will require the doctors’ report for them to finalize their investigation. The one found guilty will be arraigned in court and be charged. The report will act like an evidence for the severity of the accident caused by the reckless driver, thus increasing the chance of the Magistrate to make sound decision. In some scenario, the complexity of the injury leading to multiple fractures requires special attention. This carries with it special facilities, which might be absent at Huddesfield Hospital. Therefore, the Doctor should identify a hospital with that capability for the patient to be referred. Potential follow-up, including names, addresses and contact details of at least two relevant voluntary sector organizations which could support the client The woman will be referred to two women organizations, that is, EAVES, and Newham Asian Women’s Project. Both organization are aimed at encouraging women and bring back hope into their lives. The organizations identify women as vulnerable members of the society and thus seek an alternative to empower them. Newham Asian Women’s Project is based in London, Barking road while EAVES based in London too, Kennington Business Park, Brixton road. Reflection The above case study is an educative for a social worker operating within a health center. One major aspect proven in this case study is that language barrier should not be a factor during service delivery to a non-English speaking person. Rather one should explore other means such demonstration and above all use of simple words will make the client comfortable and respond to queries. From the case study, it must be admitted that different languages across the globe do not differ in context, thus used as a medium of communication. As an interpreter, the way the patient (lady involved in the accident) was treated was exemplary especially on issue concerning her changing her stout decision as per her faith. Therefore, an interpreter should not just translate languages, but should assess the situation and offer an X-factor. This being the case an interpreter would have listened to the situation of the hospital and translate it to the lady with an aim of making her accepting the situation, because it was an urgent matter. It can turn to be a challenge since much time is lost interpreting one’s decision. In my own opinion, one person fluent with the language of the person requiring urgent attention should be left to do the discussion with patient for fast decision making. Methods Evaluation Was it useful? Why? What went well? Shortcomings? NAWP booklet Yes, because it offers different services for women who are from Asian community and more vulnerable to abuses. This booklet gives examples of other women who have undergone abuse and how they have managed come out from it. Though, the case for the accident was different but the idea of her believes being compromised by being treated by male doctor can be transformed to positive through the booklet. It is available only in English The phone numbers on it are old Interview Mrs. Jenkins Nurse Yes it was. She suggested how a patient of non-English speaker could be helped by use of images. She explained many are times when the hospital was forced to call doctors from different hospital who were conversant with the language of their patient, but that was expensive. Therefore, use of images has helped them when an interpreter is not available. The nurse had a tight schedule and the interview was conducted along the corridor, thus less information was gathered. Internet http://www.phclincoln.org/patient/services/interpretation.html http://www.nawp.org/ Yes. It acknowledges the importance of offering health service to clients using their native language. The woman was helped by through use of her native language and this can be regarded as life saved through interpretation. I think the article could expound little further and suggest images that can be used as interpretive tools. (UNIT 2 B) Introduction The following case study shows the violence women and children go through in a domestic violence. The woman in this case, fears to report her husband for the assault, and choose to remain silent. Effort of neighbors was brought to our offices and we took appropriate measures to secure the lives of the child and mother. Detail of the matter is clearly illustrated below on different headlines. Situation There has been rampant call to our offices claiming issue of domestic violence leading to child abuse at Springbank Manor Apartment in London. It is reported the father always come home late at night drunk and physically abuse both the wife and the child. The child suffers emotionally since her mother too who is supposed to protect him, is assaulted too. This matter is of great focus and thus requires urgent attention to prevent further abuse of the child and the mother. Interview The interview was conducted at the office and Springbank Manor Apartments. The first interview was involved the neighbors who had called to inform us on the status of the family. We had to interview the neighbor to prove beyond doubt, that in deed the child and mother were being abused. Second interview, involved the presence of the mother and the child and it was evident they were being abused based on the bruises and low-self-esteem. Service providers Due to complexity of the abuse it would be wise to have a list of service providers that are well equipped and trained to offer particular service to the mother and child. In this case, the following service provider will be required; Counselor, Doctor, and admission officer. Possible questions to be asked by the service providers The following are question that will be asked the different service providers: Doctor: Where do you feel much pain? For how long have you been feeling this pain? Where else do you have bruises? Do you have any medical condition? The doctor tries to understand the condition of the mother and the child, based on how they have been assaulted so that he/she can give medical directive. Counselor: Why does your husband abuse you and your child? When did it start? How long have you been married? Have you ever sought any intervention? Why do you fear reporting your husband? The counselor tries to get information from the woman why the husband has been assaulting her and the child and yet she has not taken any initiative to contact any relevant authority. It is from this information collected by the counselor that one can be able to know how to start the counseling process. Admission officer: What are you names? Where do you reside? How old are you? Any personal information you want us to know? Basically, the admission officer records almost all information that is believed to be essential for the woman and the child during the and after the counseling process. Standard procedures for the counseling abused woman Instances of women being abused or experiencing domestic violence cannot be ignored at this era. Therefore, there must be procedures in place to help women in such situations. Such procedures are aimed at confidentiality and comfortability of the abused party. 0once this two are achieved definitely information needed will trickle and be recorded. For this case the procedure will involve; Giving life example of other women who have undergone such problem How they were affected by the situation they found themselves in. Being a strong woman in decision making process Analyzing the issue at hand (The abuse mother and child) Discuss widely to get fine details by asking detailed questions, but not hurting. Conflict that might arise There is a possibility the woman might feel uncomfortable discussing her domestic issues with outsiders for fear of being attacked by her husband again. This is even made more difficult when a male counselor is assigned to her. However, some research has proven a counselor of opposite sex tends to be more detailed and always ends up with good results for the abused party. To solve these issues, it would be prudent to instill and enhance confidence level in the woman, such that she can feel autonomous. The second option is the selection of the counselor, based on her gender preference. Possible or likely outcome(s) of the session, including details of relevant appeals procedures Women and Child abuse are prohibited and are regarded as crime under The Constitution England. This therefore, means the matter has to be forwarded to relevant authority for further screening. The police and children department will be copied the report. The husband stand a chance of being fined or serving a jail term if found guilty of assault on his wife and child. Potential follow-up, including names, addresses and contact details of at least two relevant voluntary sector organizations which could support the client As a means of restoring esteem of the woman, we found it necessary to negotiate with other organizations that are concerned with plight of women in London. Two referrals were suggested for the woman and the child; both referrals are based in London. They are Newham Asian Women’s Project is based in London, Barking road while EAVES based in London too, Kennington Business Park, Brixton road. Reflection When dealing with women in a social setting it is very important for one to understand their personal view on the issue, rather than jumping into offering solutions. Like the case reviewed above clearly indicates how simple use of words can be extract vital information from a client (patient) who is not an English speaker. Therefore, as social worker choice of word and close attention to the client are key factors to enable one to accomplish his/her mission. As an interpreter have learnt never to be fast in interpreting what someone just said without giving a second thought over it. A patient might be meaning another aspect, but the choice of word is the one that is conflicting. In such cases, one should understand the context and everything he/she tries to interpret should be within the context. For instance, it would be difficult for a sexual harassed person to say it directly and rather prefer use of metaphors. Therefore in such cases, translation should not change the information one tried to pass to the healthcare provider, but making it clearly for easy understanding. Methods Evaluation Was it useful? Why? What went well? Shortcomings? Book Role of Social Worker to Domestic Violence. (n.d.). SpringerReference. Yes, because it detailed the procedures of handling family problems as the case above. This book pointed out how self-esteem of an abused person can be restrained and also how to make the person speak his/her mind. This is evidenced on how the woman was interacted and dispensed what was burning her from inside. The book is only available in English thus only helpful for English speakers. Personal contact: Name: Mrs. Lyn Position: Counselor Institution: Phoenix counseling Partially, because she gave me a rough idea of what her task involved. Person was helpful as she went step ahead an illustrated different types of domestic violence and how to solve them. She was busy and I could engage much with her. I think next time I will book an appointment. Internet http://www.aaets.org/article144.htm Ideas on causes of domestic violence The article suggested why different couples prefer keeping to themselves any form abuse against them and symptoms of such cases. The article did not provide comprehensive solution for such abuses References Domestic Violence and Abuse: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2015, from http://www.aaets.org/article144.htm How Eaves can help. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2015, from http://www.eavesforwomen.org.uk/ Interpretation Services. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2015, from http://www.phclincoln.org/patient/services/interpretation.html Newham Asian Womens Project (NAWP) is a woman only organisation and charity working to end violence against women and girls. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2015, from http://www.nawp.org/ Role of Social Worker to Domestic Violence. (n.d.). SpringerReference. Read More