PATTERNS OF ADAPTATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS TO THE ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

The study investigates the adaptation of medical social workers to the acute care hospital. The Research Questions focus on the extent to which subjects perceive conflict between preconceived expecta-tions of job and realities of job; and, how variations in expectations regarding role and work environment influence adaptation.('1).;A grounded theory approach was utilized for problem formulation. A questionnaire was utilized for the investigation of the specific research questions. The sample consists of 40 M.S.W. social workers from four voluntary and three multiple hospitals in the metropolitan area.;The findings reveal three major patterns of adaptation: The type 1 pattern represents the perception of conflict between preconceived expectations for role and work environment and actual role performance/actual encounter with work environment, and the inability to reconcile conflict between expectations and realities of the job. The type 2 pattern represents the perception of conflict between preconceived expectations for role and work environment and actual role performance/actual encounter with work environment, and the ability to reconcile conflict between expectations and realities of the job. Type 3 pattern represents the perception of congruence between preconceived expectations and realities of job.;In general, the findings confirm two preliminary study assumptions: (1) the perception of conflict is widespread among acute care hospital social workers; (2) there are associations between role conception/role performance/encounter with specific factors in the work environment and variation in the adaptation patterns. Specifically, the findings reveal: (1) a direct association between a strong system orientation and the perception of congruence between expectations and realities of the job; (2) an inverse association between a narrow role conception (strong treatment emphasis, weak concrete service and system orien- tation) and ability to peaceably reconcile conflict between expectations and realities of the job; and, (3) a direct association between subjects' relationships with role set members which reflect high involvement, high professional focus, high status of.;social work and perception of congruence/ability to reconcile conflict situation.;('1)The "job" and role/work environment are used interchangeably.