Social Work Practice in Community-Based Health Care

Make sure your practice skills are up-to-date with the changes brought on by managed care As a result of escalating costs, the focus of health care in the United States has shifted from inpatient, hospital-based care to outpatient care in the community. Social Work Practice in Community-Based Health Care is a comprehensive guide to the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective and efficient practice within a managed-care context that's focused on a diversified, aging consumer population and high-risk health conditions. This unique book examines the essential elements of community health practice, including logic modeling for planning and evaluation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of technology and telemedicine in social work practice. Social Work Practice in Community-Based Health Care presents practical information for social workers in the wake of the insertion of managed care as a "third party" to the relationship between physicians and their patients, and advances in medical care that are transforming previously acute and life-threatening illnesses to chronic conditions. The book offers a critical analysis of available research and model service delivery innovations, applying evidence-based practice to case studies in a style that's easily accessible to practitioners, administrators, supervisors, and social work students. The book also includes glossaries at the end of each chapter and appendices that analyze online resources and address cultural background assessment questions. Topics discussed in Social Work Practice in Community-Based Health Care include: - the revolution in funding and delivery - evolving trends and healthcare needs of the consumer population - a conceptual framework for culturally competent practice - the nature of social work in ambulatory health - a brief history of healthcare social work - emerging practice settings - the use of new communication technologies in practice - methods for evaluating direct practice - ethical considerations - current community-based programs for culturally diverse and at-risk populations - and much more Social Work Practice in Community-Based Health Care is an important resource for social work practitioners, academics, and students.

Marcia Egan, Goldie Kadushin

* Preface * PART I: THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CARE * Chapter 1. The Revolution in Health Care Funding and Delivery * Introduction * Controlling Escalating Costs of Health Care * The Changing Structure of Health Care Delivery * The Changing Focus of Health Care Delivery * Changes in Government Funding for Faith-Based Organizations and Welfare * Ethical Considerations * The Influences of Managed Care on Practice * Summary * Discussion Questions and Activities for Individuals and Small Groups * Glossary * Chapter 2. The Health Care Consumer Population * Introduction * Increasing Longevity * The Diversification of Health Care Consumers * Chronic Illness * The Underinsured and the Uninsured * Health Conditions and Psychosocial Factors and Behaviors * Summary * Discussion Questions and Activities for Individuals and Small Groups * Glossary * Chapter 3. Cultural Competence in Ambulatory Health Care Practice * Introduction * What Is Culturally Competent Practice? * What Are -Culture- and -Cultural Background-? * How Are Health Disparities Linked to Cultural Background? * A Framework for Understanding Cultural Background * Summary * Discussion Questions and Activities for Individuals and Small Groups * Glossary * Chapter 4. Social Work in Community-Based Health Care * Introduction * What Is Social Work in Community-Based Health Care? * Settings for Social Work Practice in Ambulatory Community Health Care * Advances in Communication Technology for Health Care Practice * Summary * Discussion Questions and Activities for Individuals and Small Groups * Glossary * PART II: CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PRACTICE IN AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE * Chapter 5. Direct Practice in Community-Based Health Care * Introduction * A Conceptual Process and a Tool for Critical Thinking * Perspectives, Concepts, and Theories for Direct Practice * Culturally Responsive Practice * Culturally Responsive Assessment * Evidence-Based Interventions * Ethical Dilemmas in Direct Practice * Interdisciplinary Health Care Teams * Coordinating an Individual Consumer's Care * Summary * Discussion Questions and Activities for Individuals and Small Groups * Glossary * Chapter 6. Practice on Behalf of Health Consumer Populations * What Is Practice on Behalf of Health Care Consumer Populations? * Concepts for Practice: Organizations, Communities, Health Care Populations, and Problems * Challenges in Interagency Practice on Behalf of Consumer Populations * Collaborations and Coalitions/Consortia * Health Promotion in Programs on Behalf of Consumer Groups * Leadership on Behalf of Consumer Groups: What Makes a Leader Effective? * Ethical Considerations * Applying the Concepts for Logic Modeling of a Community Program for Children with Asthma * Summary * Discussion Questions and Activities for Individuals and Small Groups * Glossary * Chapter 7. Evaluating Practice and Programs in Ambulatory Health * Why Evaluate Social Work Practice? * How Is Direct Practice Evaluated? * How Are Programs in Community-Based Practice Evaluated? * How Are Data Analyzed? * Summary * Discussion Questions and Activities for Individuals and Small Groups * Glossary * APPENDIXES * Appendix A. Exemplars of Innovative Programs in Ambulatory Health Care * Background * Reaching Out to Latinas: Cultural Competence in an Ambulatory Health Program * Creatively Responding to the Needs of HIV/AIDS-Affected Children * Participatory Program Development in Perinatal Community Care * A Vision of Health Care for the Uninsured, Working Poor Made Manifest * Appendix B. Web Sites for Social Work in Community-Based Health Care * General Health Topics and Information * Specific Diseases or Health condi