Advancing the need for medical social workers in paediatric wards at a public health hospital in South Africa

Whilst the literature related to social work services with children is extant, little is devoted to medical social work with regards to children in a hospital context. Moreover, empirical research related to medical social work is scant in South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach data was collected from health professionals, working in a paediatric ward, at a public health hospital in KwaZulu- Natal. The objective was to understand the experiences of paediatric patients and their parents and the potential role of social service professionals in paediatric wards. Semi-structured in depth interviews were conducted with a sample of eleven paediatricians, nurses and occupational therapists. The study found a huge gap in the paediatric ward with regards to psychosocial support services and the need for medical social workers.

Automated summary

Although there is existing literature on social work services with children, there is limited research on medical social work specifically in the context of children in hospitals, especially in South Africa. This study used qualitative research methods to collect data from health professionals working in a pediatric ward at a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal to understand the experiences of pediatric patients and their parents and the potential role of social service professionals in pediatric wards. The findings revealed a significant gap in psychosocial support services in pediatric wards and the need for medical social workers.