The Social Workers' Role in the Medical Field to Cope with Cancer Patients' Problems

Gamal, Shaaban; Haggag, Ibrahim Abdwlmosen; Zaid, Medhat Hofne Khalf

doi:10.21608/jsrep.2023.299092

The Social Workers' Role in the Medical Field to Cope with Cancer Patients' Problems

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

قسم الخدمة الاجتماعية وتنمية المجتمع، كلية التربية بالقاهرة، جامعة الأزهر.

10.21608/jsrep.2023.299092

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying the effectiveness of social workers' role in the medical field to cope with cancer patients' problems. It also sought to determine barriers impeding social workers' effective role in this regard. The social survey method was utilized due to its appropriateness to the study objectives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with cancer patients as well as a questionnaire administered to a sample of social workers within therapeutic institutions. Results indicated that the reality of social workers' role in addressing cancer patients' problems was represented by: addressing the patients' family problems, providing social, financial and psychological support, addressing the patient's refusal to leave hospital. Availability degrees were (1.86, 1.93, 1.63, 1.88, 1.66), respectively. They were all of moderate levels, except for the financial support that was low. Regarding barriers impeding social workers' effective roles in addressing cancer patients' problems within therapeutic institutions, the total availability score of the participants' responses was (2.41). It was highly ranked. The least available items within this dimension were: (e.g., the frequent occupational stressors within therapeutic institutions), whereas the most available ones were: (e.g., lack of social workers' awareness of the optimal methods of treating cancer patients.

Keywords

References

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