Social Work in Health Care ─ Its Past and Future

For the second edition of this text for pre- and in-service social workers, Dhooper (U. of Kentucky-Lexington) adds new and expanded material on the Patient Protection and Affordable Act of 2010, ambulatory care settings, state and local public health departments and organizations, and special populations such as homeless and psychiatric patients. There is also a new chapter on ethical considerations. Early chapters of the text look at the past, present, and future of social work in health care, drawing on demographic and sociological changes to predict future trends, and discuss some of the major health-related problems social workers commonly deal with. Core chapters address social work in four major healthcare areas: acute care, ambulatory care, illness prevention and health promotion, and long-term care. A final chapter looks at skills for conflict resolution, coalition building, and dealing with managed care. Chapter critical thinking and ethical questions are included. A website offers lecture slides and a test bank for instructors. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)