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Interdisciplinary Collaboration Between the Professional Social Worker and Nurse in Planning the Care of the Older Adult Living in a Long-term Care Facility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Joan Harbison  and
Patricia M. Melanson
Joan Harbison
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University
Patricia M. Melanson
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University
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Abstract

The majority of long term care facilities for the elderly have the characteristics of total institutions. Care is based on the medical model which emphazises the physical needs of the residents. Current gerontological research and literature concludes that a biopsychosocial approach offers the highest quality of care to the elderly in institutions. This paper discusses political, economic, institutional and professional barriers to the implementation of the holistic approach to care. It recognizes that accommodation to the constraints identified is required. It then comments on the potential for an active alliance between two important actors in traditional long term care service delivery, the professional social worker and the nurse, to move the institution towards biopsychosocial care.

Résumé analytique

La majorité des établissements à long terme destinés aux personnes âgées possèdent les traits distinctifs d'institutions complètes. Les soins sont prodigués selon un modèle médical qui met en valeur les besoins physiques des pensionnaires. La littérature contemporaine et les études de recherches en cours s'accordent pour conclure qu'un régime biopsychosocial permettrait une qualité de soins supérieure pour les gens âgés hospitalisés. Cet article traite des obstacles politiques, économiques, institutionnels et professionnels qui bloquent la réalisation d'un système de soins holistique. Les auteurs reconnaissent la nécéssité de s'adresser aux contraintes identifiées. Ils mentionnent ensuite la possibilité de nouer une alliance dynamique entre les deux plus importants composants du système de soins à long terme traditionnel, soit le travailleur social professionnel et l'infirmière, et le rôle qu'ils pourraient jouer dans le développement d'un système de soins biopsychosocial.

Keywords

Elderlyextended caresocial worknursinginterdisciplinary collaborationholistic care
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , Summer/l'été 1987 , pp. 155 - 169
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1987

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