The intensive care unit: social work intervention with the families of critically ill patients.
Hospital intensive care units can be a significant practice area for social workers. Nowhere are families in more obvious crises than when faced with the life-threatening illness of a significant other who may be unresponsive and dependent on a frightening array of highly technical equipment. Using the crisis model for their intervention, social workers can significantly lessen the trauma experienced by these families. Additionally, they can develop other supportive hospital resources such as family groups and volunteer services to help meet their needs.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003422:Critical Care; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D012947:Social Work