- Celebration of 60th anniversary of medical social work in Singapore
- Launch of book on life’s joys and pains through the eyes of medical social workers
Singapore, 6 June 2009 - “We listen and help as best as we can.” These humble words are often how medical social workers sum up their work. Yet, many of them will be hard-pressed for words when asked to truly define their profession.
From its early history of mainly helping patients facing financial hardship, medical social work has progressed through the passage of time since its inception 60 years ago in Singapore.
Today, as front-liners, medical social workers provide holistic care to a myriad of emotional, psychological, social and financial problems faced by patients and their families.
While a patient may receive the best clinical attention from doctors, nurses and other therapists, his return to normal life and emotional well-being could be hindered by factors such as coming to terms with his illness, job instability, financial strain and family discord. This is where medical social workers work hand in hand with teams in the hospitals and community bodies to provide patients and their families with continued care, even when they have been discharged from the hospitals.
These unsung heroes’ achievements and commitment are affirmed through an event on 6 June 2009 to mark the celebration of 60 years of medical social work in Singapore. This event is organised by the Medical Social Worker Healthcare Group, formed by heads of medical social services at restructured hospitals and national specialty centres.
Inspiring change in response to changing times of society
Commemorating this milestone, 200 medical social workers from the public healthcare sector as well as community partners, such as community hospitals, family service centers and nursing homes, will be gathering for a panel discussion on ways to inspire change and overcome challenges ahead in the profession through further education, research and community involvement. They will be joined by Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan.
“This celebration does not only mark the 60th year in medical social work in Singapore. More importantly, it aims to inspire change and a continuing journey of innovation for every medical social worker. As Singapore’s population ages and expectations of our patients rise, we expect the profession to face greater challenges ahead. We must continue to evolve, so that we can remain responsive to each patient’s needs,” said Dr Goh Soon Noi, Chairperson of the Medical Social Worker Healthcare Group and Senior Manager of Medical Social Services at Changi General Hospital.
Leading the discussion will be a panel of respected and experienced medical social workers in the public healthcare sector, namely Ms Sylvia Mun, Head of Medical Social Work at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Ms Long Chey May, Senior Principal MSW of Medical Social Services at Singapore General Hospital, Dr Seng Boon Kheng, Head of Social Work Programme at UNISIM, Mr Ivan Woo, Senior Research Executive at Lien Palliative Care Centre, Ms Tan Kog Kng, Senior Care Coordinator of Medical Social Services at Changi General Hospital and Ms Tan Ching Yee, Manager of Medical Social Service at Alexandra Hospital.
Through a reflection of their professional work and personal experiences that shaped their passion in this profession, they aim to spark off a lively conversation on innovative ways to further enhance the work of medical social workers in Singapore.
Glimpses into realities of medical social work through new book
At the event, a new book entitled “Tapestry of care – Voices of Medical Social Workers” will also be launched. Published by SingHealth, the largest public healthcare group in Singapore, the book contains threads of heartwarming stories contributed by 69 medical social workers from diverse backgrounds, woven together to present the extraordinary tapestry of care provided to patients. While some described their multi-faceted journeys with patients, others reveal the joys and pains of life experienced by a medical social worker, thus opening a window into the realities of medical social work, often unseen by others.
“Medical social workers form a vital part in the healing of patients beyond the medical help that they receive. Our team in SingHealth started this project to capture the voices of medical social workers and pay tribute to their heartwarming efforts and commitment to the profession. We are very encouraged by those who contributed their stories and are inspired by the passion and determination of our peers,” said Ms Crystal Lim, Senior Principal Medical Social Worker at Singapore General Hospital, who is the project manager for the book.
Mr Khaw and Professor Tan Ser Kiat, Group Chief Executive Officer of SingHealth, will be launching the book, through the unveiling of a quilt sewn especially for the event.
(Please refer to Annex A for details on “Tapestry of Care”.)
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About Medical Social Worker Healthcare Group
Established in 1995, the Medical Social Worker (MSW) Healthcare Group is made of the heads of the medical socialservices department in restructured hospitals and national specialty centres. The group is an official representative of all medical social workers in the public sector on matters of policies and operations that affect medical social services. With bi-monthly meetings, the MSW Healthcare Group serves as a platform for medical social workers to surface, discuss and collaborate on issues of concerns and to raise these issues to the Ministry of Health, the clusters and community organisations when applicable. It also assists in the formulation and dissemination of policies, practices and procedures.
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Annex A
“Tapestry of Care – Voices of Medical Social Workers”
The 47 stories in “Tapestry of Care” opens a window of realities to the lives of medical social workers – the multi-faceted journeys they took with patients, the emotions they felt in these encounters, the passion for their profession, and the defining moments that shaped their personal and professional lives.
Conceptualised by the medical social workers in SGH and put together by the publishing team of SingHealth Academy, this book soon gathered steam and garnered participation from the medical social workers in other public healthcare institutions. In the space of six months, the stories took shape to become the final book.
In addition to the stories, told from a first-person perspective, practice pointers have been included and this makes it an ideal reference guide for medical social workers.
Content
The stories are divided into seven main sections:
Abandonment
Journey with the medical social workers as they share the stories behind the parents, children and spouses who have been abandoned.
Abuse
Violence towards loved ones and family members is often kept secret. What happens when it is brought into the open? These stories show different scenarios and how the medical social worker helps reconcile the situation.
Awaiting Death
What goes through the minds of patients when they know for sure that death is just around the corner? These stories give readers an idea of their thoughts and feelings as they work with the medical social worker to reconcile themselves to the end they know will come.
Grief
When death strikes, how do those who have been left behind cope? Medical social workers share the stories of how they help support those who grief and get them through their difficult time.
Hope
Even when life appears bleak, there is always hope, for patients, their families and the medical social workers. These are the encounters that show the beacons of light that shine through the fogs of adversity.
Suicide
What drives people to suicide? Are there signs? Can something be done to help? These stories give readers a glimpse of some of the reasons why people are driven to suicide and offer suggestions on what might be done to help.
All in a Day’s Work
These stories showcase the other types of cases that medical social workers handle. Not all of them are dramatic, complicated, long-drawn, impressive or touching. Many of them are quite run-of-the-mill. However, regardless of the type of case, each one is impactful for the medical social worker. For them, all their cases combined are part of their days’ work.
Contributors
69 medical social workers in public institutions, hailing from different generations, different practices, and diverse backgrounds
Price
Retails at S$14.90 (includes GST).
Retail Outlets
- Selected retail pharmacies of public healthcare institutions
- National University of Singapore Co-operative bookshops
- Kinokuniya bookstores