title: Social work in health care: past and future.
abstract: Historically, social work in hospitals has been subordinate to the medical profession. After tracing its development, the author suggests ways in which hospital-based social work can effectively play a role in the area of policymaking as the equal of other professions in shaping health care decisions and practices.
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005544:Forecasting; D006285:Health Planning / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012380:Role; D012947:Social Work / Q000266:history; D014481:United States