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SWK356e Social Work in Healthcare

   

Added on  2020-03-07

15 Pages4603 Words144 Views
Running head: SOCIAL WORK ESSAY SOCIAL WORK ESSAYName of the Student:Name of the University:Author Note:

1SOCIAL WORK ESSAY Answer 1. This question outlines the nature, prevalence, risk factors and many aspects related toa serious health problem, cancer. Cancer is a group of diseases that is caused by theuncontrollable cell growth. It can happen in any part of the body and sometimes comprise ofsolid tumors. Cancerous cells out number other cells and become invasive in nature(Cancer.gov, 2017). Some cancers like leukemias do not have solid tumors. The cell cycle in the human body is highly controlled mechanism. The uncontrolledcell growth results in the increased number of living cell than the dead ones. The abnormalcell growth leads to the formation of the tumor. There are two types of tumors present-benign and malignant. Benign cancers do not spread to the adjacent cells and their growth islocal whereas the malignant cancers spread to the adjacent cell and to other body parts(Burman, 2015). The growth of the malignant cells continues in an environment which isusually unfit for its growth and the process is termed as the metastasis (Liberati et al., 2014). Cancer is a symptom indicating improper functioning of the body which results fromtoxin overload and the lack of nutrients (Aktas, 2013).The growth of the tumor is controlled by oncogenes. The cells start to grow in anuncontrolled manner as soon as the oncogenes are activated. Cancer is one of the post prevalent diseases and is the cause of the maximum deathsaround the world irrespective of age and sex. The percentage of death varies with countries.The low and middle economic countries experience almost 70% death rates from cancer(Siegel, Miller & Jemal, 2015). Human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis are responsiblefor about 25% of cancer in these countries. A recent study shows that about 8.8 million of

2SOCIAL WORK ESSAY deaths occurred in 2015 worldwide. A large population of Africa and America suffer fromcancer. The major risk factors that are responsible for cancer include tobacco smoke, alcoholconsumption, irregular and unhealthy diet (Ruiz & Hernández, 2014). Obesity may also bethe reason for the cause of cancer. Chronic infections can also cause cancer in theeconomically backward countries. Cancer is caused by many biological agents that includeHelicobacter pylori, HPV, hepatitis and Estein-Barr virus. Some physical factors likeionizing radiations and chemical components like aflatoxin and arsenic are responsible for thecause of cancer (Bower, 2014). The occurance of cancer rises drastically with the age. According to some studies, a faster trajectory was followed by the surgical patientswith cancer and any delay in the treatment is usually avoided by the patients who have anillness trajectory of three months. Cancer infected patients are found to respond properly andremain fit for a long period of time during the period of their treatment but experiences adrastic deterioration before their death. Patients often become tired and feeble and suffer frompain, loss of appetite and weight. The cost of cancer treatment rises to a great extent and becomes less effective when itis diagnosed at an advanced stage (Kauvar et al., 2015). The cost of the treatment amounts toalmost billions worldwide. Cancer has become a great economic burden due to the high costthat involves in its treatment. The site of the cancer makes a great impact on the increasedcost of the treatment. The treatment of the cancer of lung and colorectal are very expensivefollowed by the cancer of prostate and breast. Oncologists should be optimistic in their approach while discussing the illness withthe patient’s family. The members of the family should discuss various goals that they maytake for the treatment with the oncologist. The goals should be identified and executed with

3SOCIAL WORK ESSAY special care when the patients become unresponsive. The oncologist should help the patientand his family to understand the benefits that they would get and the harm that may causeduring the treatment. The last stage of cancer involves the goal of pain relief, properfunctioning of the organs rather than cure and avoidance of death. Oncologist should sustainhope to the patient and his family. The first main social work intervention may be the psychological care provided to thepatient and his family. A support is given to the patients and the aim of the oncogenic socialworker is the reduction of the depression and the anxiety that the patients are facing,overcoming the difficult situation and to response to the treatments that are being provided tothem. The professionals associated with the healthcare should be involved in it and recognizethe need of the psychological back up to the patients. Compassionate interaction with thepatient and his family and the optimistic information would help them overcome theiranxiety. Oncology social workers may also take up the role of supervisors or administratorsand give them the training to work as a group supervisor and case consultant (Werner, Mills&Ram, 2014). The workers get a close interaction with the patient inspite of having the riskof acquiring the infection. The workers develop a board, plans a management program and focus on thepalliative care. A research program is carried out on psychological intervention and trainingon this program is conducted. A planning of the supportive care starting from the diagnosis ofthe infection through the treatment procedures is considered as the important part of the care(Zimmermann et al., 2014). The social workers attend different conferences and also supporttheir own education. They publish several peer reviewed journals and various professionalmeetings are attended by them. A multidisciplinary team of researchers have been formed bythe social workers who would help in the development and evaluation of the innovativeprograms. These programs help in the screening of the distress and the support given to the

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