Reflective Assessment and Intervention Strategies

Reflective Assessment and Intervention Strategies

Student’s Name

Institution of Affiliation

Introduction

Mr. Murphy, a bisexual, unemployed black woman from the Murphy ethnic group of Irish origin is mentally unwell, depressed, and isolated are being referred to social service by her GP. Generally, GP’s see a snapshot of a person’s life whereas the social worker is more likely to visit people and see more of their lives (Mangan et al., 2015). Murphy’s situation emanated after her husband passed away. She was left with two children who are not with or around her to give her the warmth and company she needs particularly at her age. Because she does not live with her children, the children may be anxious, insecure, and lack ambulant attachment because their caregiver (Mr. Murphy) is unable to provide a consistent level of response to their needs, hence they receive inconsistent care. As a result, they might fail to develop feelings of security due to a lack of secure attachment which contributes to a lack of effective communication and mental illness. 

She has barely seen them in the recent past causing her standard of life to drop as she does not socialize with the rest of society because she also gets scared of interacting with people, particularly strangers. She has also been diagnosed with the problem of dizziness which puts her at risk especially because she lives alone. She has hearing problems and has no hearing aid. However, she relies completely on her husband’s pension for her basic needs. She does not feel safe, has no friends, and does not go to church anymore. Her greatest desire is to see her family for a long time. She would like to return to Ireland as she has also lost contact with her relatives and friends. The social worker on her part concluded by promising to get in contact with all the stakeholders mentioned in the discussion and to directly bring feedback and updates to Mr. Murphy.

Key Conclusions

There is an outstanding number of key issues in this case. First, there is an elderly widow, Mr. Murphy who is suffering from isolation, depression, and loneliness putting her at high risk and need for attention. A proven remedy has been reconnecting people with social services such as a church, community projects (Research and Policy Hub, 2011). By demonstrating PCF 1, the social worker was able to demonstrate professionalism by identifying herself to Mr. Murphy and behaving like a professional. The social worker was committed to professional development and was able to mention of going to use other professional support. Putting her in contact again; explains PCF 5 making use of her knowledge where the social worker develops and applies relevant knowledge from social work practice and research to provide effective services. This explains why the social worker insisted on getting more information on the church and putting her in contact once again. 

Gerontological research proves the glaring importance of children, particularly adults in giving instrumental and social support to the older persons, thus, the reason she needs to travel to Ireland to see her children and family. Research suggests that 17% to 57% of persons are faced with increased loneliness when they are faced with other physical and health concerns especially dementia and depression (Berg-Werger et al., 2020). 

Again, identifying the key stakeholders directly involved in providing possible solutions to Mr. Murphy is of prime importance through various options like getting a hearing aid, social worker is willing to find out some information which will enable her to know what she is going through. Identified in the case are her children, the church, her GP, and the nurse. These are the people she appears to be close to and communicates with some of them. Social connections directly impact health and happiness and are instrumental to well-being. Social media platforms are also being used to improve social connections particularly for the old who maybe apart from their children and the rest of the family (Esteban, 2020). This explains why the social worker made a suggestion of Mr. Murphy using ‘be a friend’, to contact people who will be ready to help her in time of need. This explains PCF 7 which talks about her intervention and skills where the social worker was able to use judgment, knowledge, and authority to interview with individuals, families, and communities to promote independence, provide support, prevent harm, and enable progress, thus bringing out social worker’s willingness to help. It also shows that she is extremely motivated to make a difference in individuals’ lives.

Another issue is pinpointing Mr. Murphy’s areas of need, which helps in proactively identifying her needs and getting confirmation or refusal from Mr. Murphy. The proactive approach helps in saving the very limited time which the social worker has at her disposal, for the session (Genesis Healthcare System, 2020). Patients benefit from being informed about their conditions and treatment options irrespective of their literacy skills or mental capacity. Such patients are more likely to follow the treatment plan (The Kings Fund, 2010). This fact explains why the social worker had to find out more about Mr. Murphy’s illness and better explain it to her in the next appointment. The case also requires the social worker to refer to other competent services for assistance and liaising to appropriately help Mr. Murphy. Individual social workers do not take the complete responsibility of patients, but liaise with agencies and other individuals for wider solutions when and where necessary (Jim, 2019). 

Critic of Assessment Interview

An assessment has a pivotal role in social works between the social worker and the service user. If not properly handled, it may negatively impact their relationship. There is, however, no standardized formula for assessment (UKessays, 2018). In this case, the questioning technique is used with a set of questions to obtain information. Based on the information already gathered by the social worker from the nurse and GP, she may already have preconceived ideas about Mr. Murphy which can tilt the questions to the direction Mr. Murphy may not see as her main concern. These questions reflect the social worker’s agenda as they are assumed questions and can be answered straight forward, hence the social worker can interpret accurately service user’s wishes, as she puts forth some questions and service users give out information, thus, focusing more on the physical needs than mental needs. In the end, the social worker used the exchange model which was a much-centered approach goal standard. The discussion is shared between the social worker and service user and acknowledges the expertise of the social worker. This model establishes respect and trust. 

Further, active listening on what is said acted, and body language is very important (Social works, 2011). Mr. Murphy is made to feel comfortable but the social worker pays less attention to her body language because she spends more time writing and flipping through the pages. The social worker engaged Mr. Murphy in a therapeutic process, thus creating an alliance on which to base treatment. However, the alliance was not firmly created as this was only done at the end of the interview and not firmly when she asked to directly relay information to Mr. Murphy. 

Again, “Making culturally sensitive introductions and using the client’s preferred name during the session also aided at putting the client at ease” (Social Works, 2011). This was done at the beginning of the discussion using Mr. Murphy’s preferred name as well as making sure she (the social worker) was clear and audible enough in her speech. During the session, the social worker checked in with Mr. Murphy and provided normalization. This also allows for shared emotions while also letting Mr. Murphy know that she is been understood.

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Aims of Continuing to Work with Mr. Murphy

The first aim of continuing to work with Mr. Murphy is to make her better understand what she is sick of as the first step to her successful treatment. There is a need to be very patient-centric particularly through better engagement. This may motivate the patient to be more concerned about her care. The social worker needs to focus more on to patient’s preferences and providing this information will keep her activated ad motivated (Sara Heath, 2016).

Another aim is to improve her communication and better reintegrate her into society. In this case, it will be linking up with her church as well as community activities to enable her to meet more people. By the social service providing a laptop for her, it will not only aid in doing her shopping but in communicating with the rest of society and keeping her in contact possibly with the use of varied social media outlets. Internet use amongst older adults greatly reduces the risk of depression and isolation by 33% (Sharp Brains, 2018). The third aim will be to drastically reduce her risk factors such as falling from her dizziness, overthinking that can aggravate the already existing condition. 

Evaluation

The process has been helpful because Mrs. Murphy did not impose on the social worker other than assessing what she can and has been able to do. Trying to bring out her soft strength by asking her about her links in community groups, church, and shared interest, the social worker has shown resilience as she has been able to get this far by using her own internal resources.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be affirmed that Mr. Murphy who is an older adult suffers from isolation, depression and has problems with hearing. With reference from her GP, she had a session with a social worker who made use of the questionnaire in information gathering and Mr. Murphy’s expectations. Some key conclusions have also been made such as social isolation and loneliness common in older people. Critics of the assessment interview were also addressed. Again, three key aims of continuing to work with Mr. Murphy were addressed as well. 

References

Berg-Weger, M., & Morley, J. E. (2020). Loneliness in old age: an unaddressed health problem. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12603-020-1323-6. Accessed on 21/12/20.

Esteban O. 2020. Loneliness and social connections. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/social-connections-and-loneliness. Accessed on 21/12/20.

Genesis Healthcare System,2020. Identifying Patient needs.

Genesis Healthcare System. (2020) Identifying Patient Needs - Genesis HealthCare System - Zanesville, Ohio. Retrieved 11 January 2021, from https://www.genesishcs.org/about-us/quality-safety/initiatives/patient-needs/.

Jim K., (2019). The importance of relationships in social work. Retrieved from https://www.careknowledge.com/media/44813/sw-and-relationships.pdf. Accessed on 22/12/20.

Mangan, C, et al., (2015). Inter professional working between general practice and social care. Retrieved from https://www.nationalelfservice.net/social-care/social-work/inter-professional-working-between-general-practice-and-social-care/. Accessed on 21/12/20.

Research and Policy Hub, (2011). Loneliness Research. Retrieved from https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/loneliness-research/. Accessed on 21/12/20.

Sara Heath. (2016). Why patient education is vital for engagement, better outcomes. Retrieved from https://patientengagementhit.com/news/why-patient-education-is-vital-for-engagement-better-outcomes. Assessed on 23/12/20.

Sharp Brain. (2018). Could Internet help cure depression among older adults? Retrieved from https://sharpbrains.com/blog/2018/05/14/could-technology-help-cure-depression-among-older-adults-short-answer-yes/. Assessed on 24/12/20.

Social Works. (2011). Assessment methods and techniques. Retrieved from https://socialworkexam.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/22-assessment_methods_and_techniques/. Accessed on 22/12/20.

The Kings’ Fund. (2010). How to deliver high quality, patient-centred, cost effective care. Retrieved from https://www.macmillan.org.uk/documents/aboutus/commissioners/richmondgrouppatientcare2010.pdf. Accessed on 23/12/20.

UK essays. (2018). Models of social work assessment. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/social-work/models-social-assessment-4803.php. Assessed on 23/12/20.