Communications And Concern Go Hand-In-Hand In Social Work
As an undergraduate in college, journalism offered all Denise McBain wanted in a career ― the fast-paced tempo of a breaking news story, interviews with experts in their fields, in-depth research of an issue and an uplifting satisfaction in addressing topics of public concern.
But a side job as a unit secretary in a hospital changed her career goal. Through the hospital environment, she discovered a path where her career objectives could be met and exceeded: social work.
“I was immediately drawn to the fast pace, and quickly knew I loved health care and wanted to remain in this setting,” said McBain, who completed her bachelor’s degree in communications before earning a master’s degree in social work. She’s now a social worker at SSM DePaul Health Center in St. Louis.
“It used to be you did what your doctor or nurse told you and didn’t ask any questions,” McBain said. “Today’s patients are consumer savvy and more aware of their options. They realize their rights and responsibilities in the health care system as they’re accessing health care services. “This ties in perfectly with the social worker’s role,” McBain said. “The prime objective of social work is self-determination for your patient. We empower patients and families to get the most out of their treatment plan.” |
“The two degrees go hand-in-hand,” McBain said. “I learned basic interviewing techniques in communications, and I put those active listening skills to use everyday when talking with patients and their families.”
Health care offered several avenues, but McBain said social work tied-in most closely with her personal and career goals.
“Hospitals are 24-hour-a-day operations,” she said. “There is on-call and some weekend and holiday work for social workers, but it’s not as heavy as in other fields, such as nursing.
“As a social worker you interact with interdisciplinary teams and specialists from different departments to gain their perspectives on a case,” she said. “You research what is best for your patients, sometimes searching for resources in other states or other countries if your patients live out-of-town.”
McBain makes a difference not only in her patients’ lives but in the community she serves.
“You become an advocate for your patients,” she said. “If you discover your patient is a battered woman, for instance, the social worker will help her find a safe place to stay and help in obtaining a restraining order. You’re that central figure working with agencies, people in the hospital and patients’ families.”
McBain said social work is very much “system-based.” She helps people navigate the systems ― the public health system, the mental health system, the welfare system ― and helps them find whatever resources that may be available to them after discharge. She added that frustration with these systems is one downside of social work.
“Sometimes a social worker finds there is just not enough to meet a person’s needs, and there is only so much you can do,” McBain said.
Still, she believes social work is playing an exciting part in modern-day health care.
“It used to be you did what your doctor or nurse told you and didn’t ask any questions,” McBain said. “Today’s patients are consumer savvy and more aware of their options. They realize their rights and responsibilities in the health care system as they’re accessing health care services.
“This ties in perfectly with the social worker’s role,” McBain said. “The prime objective of social work is self-determination for your patient. We empower patients and families to get the most out of their treatment plan.”
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