title: Experiences of social workers in primary care in Ireland.
abstract: This article presents the findings of research conducted with social workers in primary health care teams in Ireland. Data from questionnaires and from a focus group were analyzed. The findings draw attention to the nature of the role of the primary care social worker, including both the satisfying and challenging aspects of this role. It was evident that the participants liked the generic nature of their role and the fact that they worked with non-mandated clients. However, they encountered challenges related to resources, management structures, and interdisciplinary work. The findings shed light on an area of social work that has been under-researched.
authors.affiliation: a School of Applied Social Science , University College Dublin , Belfield , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Muireann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ní Raghallaigh
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cunniffe
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D012947:Social Work / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce