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Three sources of diversity in the health and social care sector
Three sources of diversity in the health and social care sector
Literature review on social work and diversity
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As many may know the term diversity could go for various things. Diversity is not only based on gender but also age, ethnic group, religion, and etc. When it comes to the different type of social work practice levels, there is micro, mezzo, and macro. Micro level is more of a face-to-face interaction with the clients. Mezzo level is an interpersonal relation with peers or neighbors in a meeting. Mezzo practice consists of a small group, local organization within a community, and institutions. Finally, Macro helps the community and the social worker to do evaluations of programs that in this case will be dealing with diversity issues. These levels of practice are all beneficial, especially when it comes to the issues around diversity. Many …show more content…
By doing this will allow several people to see the issues and how they have an impact on others. If one practice does not work, then there are always two others that could be applied. For example, to me if a social work takes the first level of practice by doing a sit down and having a face-to-face conversation can be good and bad. The reason I say bad because some people do not like to talk in person and will show very little emotions which may not give the social worker the results he/she thought they were going to get. It can also be a good thing because people like to communicate in person and have a one on one session than talking amongst others. The next level of practice will be mezzo which deals with different type of groups. This practice will incorporate well with the issues of diversity because this allows a person to feel comfortable with talking about the situation because their peers and/or neighbors will also be involved. The mezzo level of practice can allow a small group or organization that the social worker is helping to promote change when it comes to diversity. Having sessions with groups to discuss conflict that is going on can help solve a lot of issues that goes on
In the reading, “Education for Macro Intervention a Survey of Problems and Prospects,” the author Jack Rothman discusses challenges facing Macro Practice in Schools of Social Work. Rothman’s concern is the lack of interest or lack of academic support for the community or administration macro practice in social work education. According to Rothman, this issue is not recent or unrecognized in the profession and among social work’s professionals. After reviewing the responses of his claim, Rothman suggests that students lack interest in macro practice due to short supply of scholarships and most school curriculums are primarily clinical, which neglects or marginalized macro courses.
Within the field of social work practice it does seem evident that ‘multidisciplinary working is work undertaken jointly by workers and professionals from different disciplines or occupations’ (Pearson & Thomas, 2010:342) and has evolved at varying speeds over the past 30 years, in response to imperatives of central government. Evidence suggests that the area mental health was among the first professions to adopt teams of workers from different professions, and the Community Mental Health Team is widely regarded as the model for multidisciplinary working (Community Care, 2010). It seems that , in relation to social work, the distinctive quality that has to be demonstrated is anti discriminatory practice and a holistic approach, by working with a range of situations and people having an attribute for developing multidisciplinary and partnerships (Higham,2006:).
E., Kettner, P. M, McMurtry, S. L., &; Thomas, M. L. (2011). Social Work Macro Practice (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Social workers in the healthcare field can be very beneficial to an interdisciplinary team. Throughout the semester we have looked at how social workers bring their professional and distinct skill set and beliefs to these teams. There are many stereotypes and biases surrounding social workers and other professionals on interdisciplinary teams. Social workers also have different views than other healthcare professionals and use their skills in communication to help the clients they serve, along with various other skills that are unique to social workers differing from other professional in the healthcare field. A social worker’s skill set can be extremely useful when working with specific populations at risk. The relationship between health and the role of the social worker can be different from other social worker roles in different fields. However, it is clear that social workers and interdisciplinary teams can be beneficial for everyone.
First off, clinical social workers work one-on-one with individuals by utilizing psychosocial casework to improve their client’s lives. Social workers at the micro level typically provide case management by coordinating and monitoring services, developing a treatment plan, advocating for new services, providing psychoeducation, and by helping clients learn more about their specific disorder (Marx). They also provide psychotherapy through three major therapeutic approaches- psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic (Marx). When it comes to the mezzo level social worker work with groups and families. They may initiate therapy groups, support groups, psychoeducational groups, and socialization groups all in order to uplift their clients about their mental disorder (Marx). On top of that, social workers also offer family therapy with the goal of helping families learn and function effectively by meeting the needs of a family member with a mental illness (Marx). Finally, social workers also work on a macro level through advocacy and policy changes, and in an administrative setting. Through advocacy, social workers may lobby for policy changes on a local, state, or national level in order to promote positive
Furthermore, social workers have clearly defined standards of conduct and responsibilities to clients, colleagues, in practice settings, as professionals, to the profession, and to the broader society (NASW, 2008). However, contemporary human service agencies face many challenges. For example, not all organizations support appreciation of diversity and justice when it comes to availability and accessibility of services, management practices, and institutional policies.
Diversity is one thing, I have come to accept and appreciate greatly in my life. I am 22 years old and was born in Ghana, West Africa. To me, I see myself as an African woman. Reasoning being that both my parents are Africans but from different tribes. I was brought up through the general Ghanaian way, but having my parents from different ethnic groups taught me how to adapt to different cultures and I believe that was where my experience with diversity began. The African continent do have some similarities in the cultures, but being brought up with the Ghanaian culture and norms has really helped me and shaped me to be the respectful and humbled woman I am today. Being a Christian born into the Presbyterian denomination, I do my very best
Springer, J. F, Sale, E, Kasim, R, Winter, W, Sambrano, Soldad, C, (2004). Sandra; Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work: Innovation in Theory, Research & Practice; Vol 13(3); 1-23. Doi: 10.1300/J051v13n03_01
I have grown to appreciate diversity and I seek out opportunities that will increase my competency in this area. While working with diverse populations I have learned that diversity represents individual and human differences that impact how we problem-solve, work, and learn. Often times we sum diversity into three main categories, race, gender and ethnicity; however, diversity is expanding and we must include all aspects of diversity. There are several factors that distinguishes us and the dimensions of diversity may be hidden or visible. They may remain constant or fluctuate as life changes and they may not be easily defined. Social workers must embrace diversity as well as its dimensions and understand that diversity is multidimensional.
In an environment that deals with a vast amount of the diverse population, culture is very important. In fact, many healthcare organizations benefit immensely from the impact of culture in a diverse setting. One benefit of this setting is that culture provides guidelines for employees, patients, doctors, visitors, and others that utilize these facilities. Healthcare organizations set the foundation of their companies using cultural beliefs, values, and a code of conduct to create a diverse and accepting workplace.
Social work can be very rewarding in a number of ways, but challenges do exist before the reward. One challenge I may encounter if I was to become a social worker is becoming attached to the victim. I think I would feel emotionally connected and want to save them. Before taking the class, I had the mentality that it would be easy to help people and guide them to a better life, but this class has made me realize that it is not always that easy. When speaking to victims, I could see myself feeling sorry for them and wanted to give them everything to make themselves feel better. I feel like I would allow my personal life to interfere with my work life, where I would constantly be thinking about the clients and their health instead of focusing
According to the Society for Human Resource Management diversity is: “A broad definition of diversity ranges from personality and work style to all of the visible dimensions of diversity such as race, age, ethnicity or gender, to secondary influences such as religion, socioeconomics and education, to work diversities such as management and union, functional level and classification or proximity/distance to headquarters.” Diversity is a huge factor that we are striving for in many occupations around the world, but healthcare is one of the main professions that is becoming more diverse. Not only does it have many positive effects, it is providing the patients and workers with a sense of respect for each other. The patients are able to have a nurse or occupational therapists that understand where they are coming from. They might have the same morals or they might be in a similar situation as the patient, so they will be able to relate with the patient and understand them during difficult times. More companies are relating diversity into the workforce. Therefore they are able to have a more successful business because of the many changes they are making to meet the needs of each individual.
Living in a country where it was founded by immigrants, diversity is everywhere you go especially in the workplace. There are many types of diversity; ethnicity, gender, religion and age just to name a few. Working in a diverse organization it can give you a taste of the real world, and what you will deal with wherever you go. There is so much diversity in the world today so it is a benefit to experience it in the workplace as well. You are given the chance to learn so many things from different cultures, why wouldn't you want to work in a diverse organization?
In social work, a social worker has to come to the client’s level and start from there. The client does not have to come to the social workers level. In order for this to happen the social worker has to know the importance of culture, race, gender, sexual, diversity and other forms of diversity to make the best decision for choosing a type of intervention. Understanding the client’s culture, race, gender, sexual diversity and other form of diversity is important because they affect each person differently. An example, Roberto is Latino and in their culture they believe in machomism, so this is something his social worker needs to know when addressing Roberto or someone of the Latino culture. Hispanic women bring machomism
In the Micro system financial social work can be applied this level when you are working with an individual person who might be suffering from financial challenges. You can see them through and give them the one on one guidance that they need to get there issues in order. By seeing those individuals through you are trying to give them the tools that they need to be able to change the situation slowly but surely. While doing that you can refer them to the proper services that might be able to assist them a bit more then you can. Moving onto the Mezzo system financial social work can be applied to this because in many different communities you will find poverty, homelessness, and people in need of financial assistance.