Analysis of Social Work Practice Models in Healthcare Settings

This report analyzes social work practice models within a healthcare context, specifically focusing on Pro Care Australia. It begins by identifying and defining three key models: social cognitive theory, the transtheoretical model, and the health belief model. The main body delves into a detailed exploration of two selected models: the strength-based approach and cognitive behavioral therapy. The strength-based approach is examined through its six principles, discussing its application to a case study of a teen experiencing anxiety. The report also outlines the strengths and weaknesses of this approach. Cognitive behavioral therapy is then discussed, highlighting its principles, its application to the case study, and its strengths and weaknesses. The report concludes by summarizing the findings and the applicability of these models to the challenges of healthcare and mental health.

Critiquing models of
practice

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Identification of three theories or models of practice..................................................................1
Exploration of two of the models which will be used.................................................................1
Outlining the theory which will not be used................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Social work can be defined as the practices-based profession which are related to
promotion of social change, development of cohesion and empowerment of the community and
people. With the help of it, the level of social development could be enhanced (Asiamah, 2017).
Present report is based upon analysis of different types of theories of social work which could be
used in specified field and agency. There are various areas of it and one of them which is
selected for this report is healthcare or public health. The agency which is selected for this report
is Pro Care Australia. This assignment covers various topics such as identification of theories,
discussion of selected theories etc. Additionally, the theory which is not selected will also be
discussed in this project report.
MAIN BODY
Identification of three theories or models of practice
Social work is mainly focused with welfare of society. There are various areas of it which
are criminal justice, healthcare, child welfare etc. The main area which will be focused is
healthcare or public health and there are various types of models which could be used while
analysing this area of social work. These are social cognitive theory, transtheoretical model and
health belief model. The service users of public health are the normal citizens who are facing
different types of health issues. These problems could be mental health, injury, violence, health
issues at old age etc. The main needs of all the individuals dealing with these health problems
require proper care and support from others so that they can live their regular life. There are
various social agencies in Australia for social work (Bartley, 2016). Pro Care Australia is also
one of them which is paying attention towards public health and healthcare of individuals.
Case study: A teen is dealing with anxiety problem and due to this the person is facing
the behaviour changes against the others. It is very important for the individual to deal with this
medical situation and respond to all the issues that are taking place because of unstable mental
situation.
Exploration of two of the models which will be used
The two theories which are selected for the purpose of discussion are Strength based
approach and Solution Focused approach. Both of them are focused with public health and also
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used in Pro Care Australia so that all the staff members can work properly and provide care to all
the individuals. Detailed discussion of both the theories is as follows:
Strength based approach: It is mainly focused with inherent strengths of all the
individuals, groups and organisations so that all the personal strengths to aid recovery and
empowerment could be focused. It is focused with health and wellbeing so that asset-based
approach in which the main goal is to promote the positive behaviour. As the case study is
focused with a teen who is dealing with mental anxiety so this approach could be used for
responding the metal conduction which is faced by the person (Cockerham, Hamby and Oates,
2017). There are six different types of principle of this approach which can help to resolve all the
health or mental issues of the individual. Description of all of them is as follows:
 The main principle of the theory demonstrated that the initial focus of it should be in
helping the relation so that the strengths, interests and aspirations of the individuals could
be determined. With the help of it, the mental anxiety of teen could be monitored and the
person can analyse the way in which the weak mental stability related issues could be
dealt. This principle is also focused with analysis of knowledge, talents, resiliency,
weaknesses etc. Proper focus upon this principle will result in determination of all the
causes which are resulting in mental anxiety in teen.
 Second principle states that all the individuals are responsible for their own recovery. If
they are willing to overcome their mental instability then it is very important for them to
make sure that they are taking proper actions for it. As the teen is facing the mental
anxiety then it will be very important to be confident about the recovery of the situation.
At this principle, the individuals with mental issues will be responsible for healing their
own mental situation.
 Third principle states that all the people have the inherent capacity for learning,
transforming and growing. For example, as the teen is having mental instability or
anxiety so to deal with this issue the individual will be responsible for learning the way in
which this problem could dealt. This spirit of them is resilient in incredible manner. All
the people have right to try, get success and experience learning which can help to meet
the goals such as resolving the mental issues (Kühnen and Hahn, 2017).
 Forth principle of strength-based theory demonstrates that if the individuals are having
helping relationship then it results in collaboration, partnership and mutual
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understanding. As teen is dealing with mental anxiety then the heling nature of others can
help the individual to deal with the mental situation. If the nature of the person will not be
helping then it may result in lack of support from others.
 Fifth principle states that working with all the individuals in natural setting in the
community is the preferred venue for helping. As the case study is based upon the mental
anxiety of the teen so it is very important for the individuals to make sure that he or she is
able to work with others in natural setting. It can help to deal with the weak mental
situation and respond to the anxiety. If the teen will not be having nature of working in
natural setting then it may leave impact upon the process of dealing with the mental
anxiety.
 The last principle of theory is focused with the concept of that the entire community is
viewed as an oasis of potential resources nit as an obstacle. If the teen will be willing to
deal with the mental anxiety then it will be very important to use such resources that are
taking place naturally should be considered as possibility first (Prestwich, Kenworthy and
Conner, 2017).
All the above described principles could be used while planning to deal with mental
anxiety of teen. All of them will be beneficial for dealing with all the negative situations that are
taking place because of weak mental situations. If the principles will not be focused then it will
be very difficult to deal with the issues that are affecting the mental health. Proper focus upon the
analysis of the mental situation may result in solutions for all the issues.
Strengths and weaknesses of the theory:
Strengths: With the help of it strengths could be enhanced and it builds on characteristics
that are already present in the people. Apart from this it is highly focused with skills, support
system and interest of individuals.
Weaknesses: There are is no specific evidence that this theory will work to deal with
mental issues of individuals. Apart from this it can give false sense of competence to the people.
Cognitive behaviour therapy: It is a future focused goal directed approach for therapy
which describes the way in which perception of the individuals changes in different situations. It
is considered as the approach which is used in social work so that solution for all the issues that
are affecting lifestyle of individuals could be dealt in systematic manner by making changes in
their behaviour. All the principles of it are focused with emphasising competence, strength and
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capabilities of all the individuals so that they can respond to all the health issues that are faced by
them while dealing with mental anxiety. This theory is very important because it could be used
for dealing with mental health issues of clients with proper collaboration and active participation
in the activities. If the person will pay attention towards it then it will help that individual to
understand the situations that are affecting the emotional strength and find solutions for the
mental instability and respond to all the problems that are taking place due to this situation
(Scheid and Wright, 2017).
The mental anxiety of a person could be dealt with the help of this therapy because it is
focused with talking to the individuals which can help them to manage their problem by
changing the way they feel, think and act (Cognitive behavioural therapy, 2020). With the help
of it mental issues could be dealt as it aims to find the practical wats which can help a person
with problems in a positive manner by breaking them into small parts. If a person with mental
issues will be interacted by using this theory then it will help that individual to understand the
main problem and deal with it in smaller parts. All the people having mental anxiety deal with
problematic behaviour which affects others and also leave negative impact upon their social
image. As mentioned in case study the teen is facing the mental illness because of anxiety so it
will be very important for that person to deal with it properly. Solutions for all the issues could
be figured out with the help of Cognitive behaviour therapy. It is focused with the idea of the
way in which the individuals want to get to make the getting there much more likely. The main
consequence with the issues that are faced by the individuals is that it clouds the view of others
for future.
For example, if a person is having mental anxiety so it will result in negative mind set of
others against the person because the mental illness results in problematic behaviour. If the
persons are willing to deal with it then it will be very important to make sure that effective
solutions by using it are figured out so that the negative consequences of mental anxiety could be
ignored. Mental anxiety may result in social ignorance and introvert nature which may affect the
growth of teen. It is the age where all the individuals need to pay attention towards their studies
and academics and if they will face the problem of mental anxiety then it will affect the
procedure of attaining the future goals and objectives such as getting the desired job or
completing a university degree successfully. The problem of a person affected by mental issues
could be dealt with the help of this because it is highly focused with analysis of solution for the
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problems which are resulting in mental anxiety. According to a study this therapy is very
effective and help the individuals to find solution for all their mental health related issues and
make changes in behaviour (Song and Pettis, 2018).
Strengths and weaknesses of the therapy:
Strengths: It can help to treat different types of depression and mental health disorders of
the individuals. It can be completed in very short time period as compared to the other theories
which are used for the same purpose.
Weaknesses: If the individuals are having very complex mental health then it may not be
suitable for them. It may involve confronting the emotions, anxieties and the individuals may
feel emotionally uncomfortable while using it.
Both the above described approaches could be used in case study so that solution for
mental anxiety of the teen could be analysed. First one will help to make changes in behaviour
according to six different principles. Second theory can help to change the perception of the
individuals so that they can deal with mental health issues such as anxiety. Some of the main
solution which could be used for teen so that the person can deal with the mental instability are
getting enough sleep, becoming social, taken rest, reducing the level of stress etc. If all these
aspects will be focused by the teen then it will eb very easy to deal with the mental situation
(Sternisko, Cichocka and Van Bavel, 2020).
Outlining the theory which will not be used
The theory which will not be used is the social cognitive theory which is also known as
social learning theory. It was developed in year 1960 and the person who developed it was
Albert Bandura. This model states that learning occurs in social context with a reciprocal
interaction of the environment, behaviour and person. The main feature of this theory is that it
emphasises upon the social influence and focused with internal as well as external reinforcement
of social factors. There are various elements of it which are focused while paying attention
towards public health. All the elements of it are discussed below:
 Self-efficacy: This factor states that the person should have control over the behaviour
and should have ability to execute the behaviour in order to interact with others. In other
words, this factor could be defined as the confidence level of an individual to perform a
behaviour successfully. It is mainly influenced by the capabilities of a person and other
factors that are related to environment.
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 Behavioural capability: It could be defined as the actual ability or capability of a person
to perform the behaviour with the help of skills and knowledge that are essential. It is
very important for a person to know about all the specific steps that should be taken for
the purpose of performing a behaviour. This factor of the theory states that all the person
learns from all the negative and position aspects of their behaviour which also leaves
impact upon the environment in which they are living.
 Expectations: All the anticipated consequences are considered as the part of this
element. The expectations that are focused with outcome could be related to health or not.
All the persons anticipate the situations which may take place because of their actions in
future. It is the construct of social cognitive theory which most closely related to the
relationship between environment and behaviour.
 Expectancies: This element of the theory is focused with assignment of a value to the
outcomes of the behaviour change. With the help of it, all the individuals can analyse the
situations which may take place because of tehri behaviour change. It can guide them to
make sure that they have taken right decision or not.
 Self-control: It is related to the regulation and monitoring of the behaviour so that it
could be determined that it is affecting others or not. It is very important for all the
individuals to take control over all the actions (Van Belle, van de Pas and Marchal,
2017).
 Observational learning: This factor of the theory states that changes in behaviour could
be desired by watching and observing outcomes of other’s behaviour. It can help to take
decision of making changes in the behaviour.
 Reinforcement: This factor of theory is focused with promotion of incentives and
rewards which could be provided to the individuals for their good changes in behaviour.
This theory has limited utility for the agency because it is mainly related to behaviour
change rather than the solution of medical issues. Apart from this, if a person is not able to get a
good health then this theory could not be implemented as it provides way to make changes in
behaviour according to the environment.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report it has been concluded that social work is focused with the
improvement in the health of individuals who are not able to lve a healthy life. There are various
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types of areas which are related to social health work. These are criminal justice, healthcare,
child welfare etc. There are various types of theories which could be used by health care
agencies for the purpose of making sure that all the individuals are able to live healthier life as
compared to the previous time. These are The Social Cognitive theory, Health Belief and
Transtheoretical model. All of them could be focused by the agencies of social work so that they
can help the individuals to respond all their health issues.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Asiamah, N., 2017. Social engagement and physical activity: Commentary on why the activity
and disengagement theories of ageing may both be valid. Cogent Medicine. 4(1).
p.1289664.
Bartley, M., 2016. Health inequality: an introduction to concepts, theories and methods. John
Wiley & Sons.
Cockerham, W. C., Hamby, B. W. & Oates, G. R., (2017). The social determinants of chronic
disease.
Kühnen, M. & Hahn, R., (2017). Indicators in social life cycle assessment: a review of
frameworks, theories, and empirical experience. Journal of Industrial Ecology. 21(6).
pp.1547-1565.
Prestwich, A., Kenworthy, J. & Conner, M., (2017). Health behavior change: Theories, methods
and interventions. Routledge.
Scheid, T. L. & Wright, E. R., (2017). A handbook for the study of mental health: Social
contexts, theories, and systems. Cambridge University Press.
Song, L. & Pettis, P. J., (2018). Does whom you know in the status hierarchy prevent or trigger
health limitation? Institutional embeddedness of social capital and social cost theories in
three societies. Social Science & Medicine, p.111959.
Sternisko, A., Cichocka, A. & Van Bavel, J. J., (2020). The dark side of social movements:
Social identity, non-conformity, and the lure of conspiracy theories. Current opinion in
psychology .35. pp.1-6.
Van Belle, S., van de Pas, R. & Marchal, B., (2017). Towards an agenda for implementation
science in global health: there is nothing more practical than good (social science)
theories. BMJ Global Health. 2(2).
Online
Cognitive behavioural therapy. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://patient.info/mental-health/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt-leaflet>
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