Social Work in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) System: Rewards, Challenges, Roles and Interventions

Abstract

For the social worker in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) System, numerous challenges are faced and met while serving the nation's Veterans. As part of the multidisciplinary team, social workers perform a variety of tasks and function in diverse roles. The qualitative survey research reported in this article sought to detail what social workers identified about the impact and rewards of their work and what they saw as the challenges and frustrations. In addition the social workers were asked to clarify their role with the patient and the family. Intervention strategies used in the course of the social workers interaction with the Veterans was also ascertained.

Keywords:

• social worker role
• interventions
• work impact
• challenges

Notes

This article not subject to US copyright law.

This material is based on work supported in part by the Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs.