Social Work as an Aspect of Primary Health Care: The Social Workers' View

This study is based on an analysis of social workers' views of their work with 168 clients referred over a six month period in 1977 in a health centre setting. A wide range of referrals was made and there was close collaboration with other primary health care professionals as well as outside agencies. Far more psycho-social problems were encountered by the social workers in the course of their intervention than were apparent on referral, although most of the work was short term. Social work with the individual predominated and a variety of traditional social work skills were employed, although the elderly received relatively little help with emotional problems and were offered mainly practical help. Social workers' perceptions of their clients are discussed in relation to their choice of methods of intervention and feelings of efficacy. The attachment scheme emerges as generally fruitful both in terms of social workers' job satisfaction and clients benefitting from a multi-disciplinary approach; however the need for closer inter-professional collaboration in meeting the needs of the elderly is highlighted.