A social worker (R) at the University Medical Centre
in HCM City (Photo courtesy of
University Medical Centre)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) – should pay more attention to medical social
work which plays a vital role in facilitating good medical care and improving
the quality of life of patients, experts have said.
” is in a fledgling state with limited services
compared to other countries, especially developed ones,” said Le Thi Hoang Lieu,
director of the social work programme at Thu Dau Mot University in Binh Duong province.
had been facilitated by Circular No.43 issued in
2015, she told a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City this week.
But now medical social workers offer support to patients and their families
only in the hospital, according to Lieu.
When patients leave the hospital, there is no support at all, causing some
patients to give up treatment and increasing risks of complications.
work in a multi-disciplinary team with professionals
from other disciplines and link patients and families with community resources.
High work loads and lack of resources to meet the needs of clients were among
the challenges they face in Vietnam, experts said.
Dr Leanne Embry, clinical psychologist at University Health System, a public
hospital in Texas, the US, said numerous research studies had demonstrated the
importance of psychosocial support for cancer patients of all ages.
“Support can help prevent escalation of distress. We want patients to know they will not face this alone and the chances for
survival or improvement of symptoms are real,” she said.
Psychosocial support focuses on emotional, social, physical, and spiritual
needs of children and family, according to the doctor.
The goal is to help patients and their family adapt to the situation with
minimal distress.
Psychosocial support providers are integrated with medical care and serve as a
liaison between patients/families and medical teams.
Their role includes initial assessment of the family, social situation,
cultural, religious beliefs, mental health history, employment status, and
financial needs.
Emotional support for the entire family, patient education and anticipatory
guidance, promoting treatment adherence, and end of life support are also
included.
The psychosocial support model in the US comprises of three social workers, two
psychologists, one child life specialist, and one nurse care coordinator.
Some teams include others such as art therapists, music therapists, chaplains
and other religious leaders, according to Embry.
Every oncology patient meets multiple members of the team during diagnosis, and
support is given throughout treatment and into survivorship.
“For patients and families, treating the pain, symptoms, and stress of cancer
improves quality of life and is as important as treating the disease itself.”
In Vietnam, her hospital works with some hospitals in Hanoi, HCM City and Hue to create a robust psychosocial support programme, she added.
Stephanie Gonzalez, a child life specialist at University Health System, spoke
about her role, which focuses on the psychosocial needs of children and their
families.
Child life specialists promote coping through preparation, play, education and
activities of self-expression, according to the specialist.
They educate caregivers, administrators, staff, and the public about the needs
of children under stress.
They assist children in coping by preparation for procedures and
hospitalisation, offering emotional support to children and their families, and
being an advocate for both the patient and family.
Children who are coping successfully are knowledgeable about their condition
and procedures, feel secure in their relationships with family and staff and
recover quickly from procedures.-VNS/VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
