title: The cost of caring for patients with an illness: contagion to the social worker.
abstract: This article will examine the effects of hospital work on social workers. It will highlight the events of a focus group that was used to gather data in an attempt to begin to understand the stressors faced by the worker. The Self-Constructivist Model (McCann & Pearlman, 1990b) is utilized in relation to trauma experienced by the social worker, while working with patients diagnosed with an acute, chronic or life-threatening illness. Findings are summarized and recommendations are made to assist hospital social workers in coping with the aftermath of secondary trauma.
authors.affiliation: Shirley M. Ehrenkraniz School of Social Work, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dane
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chachkes
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D024382:Professional Role; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital; D000078329:Workforce