Course Description
An understanding of human health and the health care system in the United States and globally. Social, cultural, and demographic trends supporting the need to prepare more social workers to work in health care settings.
Athena Title
SW Practice in Health Care
Prerequisite
SOWK 2154 and SOWK 2155 and (SOWK 2156 or SOWK 2156E) and permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, students will: · Acquire knowledge of the terminology, history, and political underpinnings of social work in health care settings. · Investigate the multidimensional nature of the illness and the interplay among biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of development. · Advance understanding of illness and the way it manifests in everyday life through the application of theories of health behavior. · Demonstrate understanding of the impact and meaning of illness, health, and well-being within diverse cultural and racial/ethnic groups. · Explore health care policies and practices, and how they relate to cultural diversity, social/economic justice, and disenfranchised populations. · Identify issues in collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork, including the key role of the social work profession. · Utilize websites, libraries, and professional journals to keep abreast of new developments in health care and in worker self-care. · Examine ethical dilemmas and legal issues/concerns in health care.
Topical Outline
Week TOPIC 1. Question: What are “the beginnings” of medical social work? Question: What is daily life like for a social worker in a health care setting? 2. Question: How do individuals and families experience illness? Question: What influences health behaviors? 3. Question: How are health policies dictating healthcare practices? 4. Question: Is Flint, Michigan still without clean water? 5. Question: Complementary, alternative, and integrative health: what’s in a name? 6. Question: What is the role of religion and spirituality in health and health care? Question: What ethical dilemmas are faced by social workers in health care settings? 7. Question: What are the health-related social injustices of concern to social workers? 8. Question: How does the U.S. healthcare system compare to healthcare systems around the world? 9. Question: Why are vaccines so controversial? 10. Question: What is interprofessional practice? 11. Question: What are the health care needs of transgender individuals? 12. Guest Speakers: Medical Social Work Panel 13. Question: Why is dementia considered one of the most pressing public health issues of today? 14. Question: What is the state of U.S. healthcare? 15. Podcasts Listening Session