Author Archives: Social Work in Health

Independent thought and political action in social work practice

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Social Work in Health

A Book Review Social Work Practice: a conceptual framework USCHI BAY South Yarra, Palgrave Macmillan, 2014 182 pp., ISBN 9780420256611 $59.95 (paperback)   Uschi Bay invites us into her innovative framework for political social work practice; the small ‘p’ political … Continue reading →

Posted in Empowerment | Leave a comment

Why we don’t act on health inequality

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Social Work in Health

Wiser people than me have discussed our failure to act on what we now about the social determinants of health (Baum et al 2009, Katikireddi et al 2013). Poor health is located in social disadvantage and would need to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Determinants of Health | Leave a comment

An empowerment approach to group work with people experiencing anxiety

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Social Work in Health

This locally based group started in response to demand, the nearest Anxiety Management clinic having closed. I looked at programmes colleagues were running in other health services but, decided to do my own thing. The basics were pretty standard for … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety management, Empowerment | Leave a comment

The Inverse Care Law and the ‘hard to reach’

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Social Work in Health

In 1971 Scots doctor Julian Tudor Hart published his observation in the Lancet that the people who most need health services are the least likely to receive them: the inverse care law. Since then, as it turns out, this law … Continue reading →

Posted in Vulnerable populations | Leave a comment

Anticipating a Social Work placement in Health

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Social Work in Health

I am presently anticipating hosting my first student in many years. I work part time for Health and there are room shortages and of course I’m busy but I thought it was about time, after all I’m always looking for … Continue reading →

Posted in Preparation for placement | Leave a comment

Discretion in rural practice

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Social Work in Health

I had a conversation at a conference earlier this week with a young social worker about to take up a position in the small town she and her family live in. The social worker retiring from that position has always … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethical issues | Leave a comment

Data mining for the beginning practice researcher

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Social Work in Health

Ros Giles, Irwin Epstein and Anne Vertigan produced their book Clinical data mining in an allied health organisation: A real world experience (2011, Sydney Uni Press) as a result of working with very fortunate clinicians in Australia’s Hunter Valley. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Leave a comment

Degradation Ceremonies-still my favourite lesson

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Social Work in Health

As an undergrad Harold Garfinkel’s 1956 paper ‘Conditions of Successful Degradation Ceremonies’ captivated me. He talks about the court process as a ceremony that converts, through costume and custom, a person’s identity from free citizen, to prisoner or criminal. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Vulnerable populations | Tagged | Leave a comment

Qld Closes world leading Murri Court

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Social Work in Health

Government decision to close off Murri Court funding.   19 Sept 2012 “It is unfortunate that the new Queensland government has forgone taking more time to consult, understand and manage these complex Court led, restorative justice initiatives”, a former state manager … Continue reading →

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