SOCW 6205 WU Impact of Illness on Children and Adolescents Medical Discussion
Young patients face unique challenges during an
illness and its treatment. Chronic childhood illness can be extremely
disruptive for the child or adolescent and his or her family, especially
when treatment demands frequent and lengthy hospitalizations. The
illness, as well as a lack of normalcy in the patient’s life, may hinder
biological, psychological, and social development. The primary role of
medical social workers working with children or adolescents is to help
the patient and family live as normal a life as possible in the face of
illness.To prepare for this Discussion:Think about chronic illnesses that may affect children and adolescents. Select one
chronic illness and consider how it impacts the patient and the family.
How might the illness affect the child’s growth and development? By Day 3Post a brief description of the
illness and its overall impact on the well-being of a young patient and
his or her family. Explain how the illness may disrupt or influence the
biological, psychological, and social growth and development of the
child or adolescent. Identify at least three primary stressors (e.g., complications, hospitalization) related to the illness. Select one
of the stressors that you think is critical. Justify your selection.
Analyze possible pediatric social work interventions that might be
applied to address the stressor.Required Readings
Beder, J. (2006). Hospital social work: The interface of medicine and caring. New York, NY: Routledge.
Chapter 15, “Social Work in the Pediatric Unit” (pp. 163–174)
Gehlert, S., & Browne, T. (Eds.). (2019). Handbook of health social work (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Chapter 16, “Social Work with Children and Adolescents with Medical Conditions” (pp. 362-375)
National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). NASW standards for the practice of social work with adolescents. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=rUt4ybE_GW4%3D&portalid=0
McCoyd, J. L. M., & Kerson, T. S., (Eds.). (2016). Social work in health settings: Practice in context (4th ed.) New York, NY: Routledge.
Chapter 7, “Social Work in a Pediatric Hospital: Managing a Medically Complex Patient” (pp. 90-101)Chapter 10, “Family-Focused Care of an Adolescent with a Burn: A Multidisciplinary Approach” (pp. 126-136)
Pinquart, M., & Shen, Y. (2011). Depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with chronic physical illness: An updated meta-analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36(4), 375–384.
Sarwer, D. B., & Dilks, R. J. (2012). Invited commentary: Childhood and adolescent obesity: Psychological and behavioral issues in weight loss treatment. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 41(1), 98–104.
Soleimanpour, S., Geierstanger, S. & Brindis, C.D. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences and resilience: Addressing the unique needs of adolescents. Academic Pediatrics, 17(7), S108-S114.
Optional Resources
Congress, E. P. (2000). What social workers should know about ethics: Understanding and resolving ethical dilemmas. Advances in Social Work, 1(1), 1–26.Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Feaster, E., Johnson, W., Kelps, K., Levine, H., MacDuffie, C., … Sinotte, P. (1998). Confidentiality in social work practice: Challenges and ethical dilemmas (part II). Retrieved from http://www.naswma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=109
National Association of Social Workers. (2002). A factsheet for practitioners. HIV/AIDS and adolescents and young adults. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/HIV-AIDs/HIV-AIDS-and-Adolescents-and-Young-Adults