Concerns about social work in hospitals

Hospital social workers regularly coordinate with organizations and individuals to visit, give gifts and share difficulties with patients.

Bridge

The Outpatient Department (Hai Duong General Hospital) was very crowded with patients at the beginning of the week. Many people were confused about how to do the medical examination procedures, but Ms. Nguyen Thu Huong, a nurse from Department of Surgery 3, came to give detailed instructions. Many patients came here and mistook Ms. Huong for an intern, but she was not, she was doing her duties as a social worker at the hospital.

The Social Work Department of the Provincial General Hospital was established in 2015. This is the only hospital in the province to establish this department. This is a grade I hospital, the last line in the province's medical examination and treatment system, so there are times when there are a lot of patients coming for examination and treatment, causing a lot of pressure on the health system, medical staff, doctors as well as patients and their families. In this situation, social workers are the bridge to solve problems arising between patients and medical staff; between patients and patients, helping to reduce pressure at the hospital.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Hai Trung, Head of the hospital's Social Work Department, said that every day, doctors have to examine and treat hundreds of patients from severe to mild. Overloaded, doctors do not have enough time and energy to advise and answer all the questions of patients and their families, which will lead to unnecessary conflicts. "In reality, there have been conflicts between patients and doctors. After we found out the cause, thoroughly advised and explained, the patients were happy and actively cooperated with the treating doctors. Thanks to that, doctors also reduced psychological pressure, improving the quality of medical examination and treatment," said Doctor Trung.

Nurse Nguyen Thu Huong at Department of Surgery 3 (Hai Duong General Hospital) assists patients with procedures and moves them into the treatment room.

At Gia Loc District Medical Center, social workers regularly exchange, learn and coordinate with organizations and individuals to connect and support patients. The hospital regularly coordinates with Phuc Long Pagoda in Gia Tan Commune (Gia Loc) to distribute free porridge to patients. Many meaningful gifts have been given by the hospital in coordination with philanthropists to poor patients and patients in difficult circumstances. Ms. Nguyen Thi Linh, a patient in Hong Hung Commune, who has been receiving long-term treatment at Gia Loc District Medical Center, said: "In the hospital, where life and death are only a hair's breadth apart, we often feel discouraged, scared, give up, and do not want to be treated, but thanks to the timely encouragement and support of social workers, we have more faith and determination to treat and overcome our illnesses. They not only encourage us mentally but also visit and give us gifts together with many social organizations...".

Mostly part-time

Affirming the important role of social workers, Dr. Nguyen Van Ngoc, Director of Gia Loc District Medical Center, said that each hospital needs a department specializing in this field. However, in reality, most hospitals in the province cannot arrange separate departments or rooms. Gia Loc District Medical Center has only recently established a Social Work Team, most of whom are nurses and administrative staff in charge of this additional work.

Social workers at Hai Duong Lung Hospital mostly hold part-time jobs.

At the Provincial General Hospital, where a separate Social Work Department was established early, there are only 6 main staff members, the rest still have to mobilize medical staff from other departments and offices to support. According to Dr. Pham Hai Trung, because this is a new and specific profession in the hospital, attracting staff to work is not easy. The Ministry of Health has also rarely implemented professional guidance and training for social workers in the hospital. Currently, social workers mainly exchange and provide professional guidance to each other through a Zalo group set up by a doctor at the central level.

Because they hold multiple positions, they work mainly out of responsibility and enthusiasm for patients, and do not receive any allowances. Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Head of the Social Work Team, Head Nurse of the Examination Department (Hai Duong Lung Hospital) worries: “In developed countries, people who do social work in hospitals are highly respected. They have their own department and room, and receive salaries and benefits according to their expertise and duties.”

HAI MINH