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A social assessment of post-discharge adjustment : an exploratory rating of the social functioning of patients after discharge from the Activation Ward of the Vancovuer General Hospital .

University of British Columbia

The mounting increase in the number of chronically ill and disabled citizens is a cause of much concern. Accordingly, many different approaches are being taken towards rehabilitation. A vital step in measuring their success is the evaluation of patients' progress after a period of treatment. The present study applies to patients who have received service in the new Activation Ward of the Vancouver General Hospital. Many previous studies have focused upon the measurement of physical and social rehabilitation, but this is an exploratory measurement of the social functioning of such "post-discharge" disabled adults. Specifically, this study is directed to the assessment of the contributions of the social worker, as one member of the treatment team, to the disabled patient and his family. A small sample of patients were selected for the study; all were interviewed, arid material from medical and social service records was collected. A rating scale was worked out, to indicate components of general social functioning. This was used to rate each patient at time of study, and compared with ratings at time of discharge from the ward. The results were tabulated and evaluated according to the criteria established of (a) physical, (b) material, (c) individual and (d) social factors (twenty items in all). "Movement" in social functioning of each patient during the post-discharge period could thus be assessed. Overall as well as individual results are examined, and some case illustrations utilized to supplement the assessment. The evidence is that assessment of the patients' physical and material factors was adequately made on the ward. There is a relatively poor record of progress after discharge, however. Social factors appear among the more significant reasons. There is evidently need for more thorough evaluation of the personal and social factors, without which the goals of comprehensive rehabilitation cannot be achieved. It is the social worker's function to assess these factors. Further responsibilities of the social worker include the treatment of emotional and social factors, the appropriate use of community resources and social action measures. In further research directed to the development of a comprehensive assessment plan for a comprehensive rehabilitation service, the rating scale initiated here may contribute some guidelines.

Text

2011-10-20

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/38119

Social Work

University of British Columbia

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