The guided use of selected books as an adjunct to treatment is applicable to patients in all stages of life and with a variety of problems. This paper describes the authors' experience using books as an adjunct to therapy with psychiatric patients. The authors define the term, review the literature, and set out the objectives of bibliotherapy. The paper presents some principles to follow when assigning books, and examples of books used for common problems. Finally, examples are given of bibliotherapy in action at two Ontario hospitals, and some future directions are suggested.
The purpose of this paper is to fill a gap in the social work literature which has not, to date, included a thorough discussion of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) from a social work perspective. It discusses the rationale for ECT in current practice; enumerates improvements made in stimulus delivery since convulsive therapy was introduced in 1934; and summarizes the myths, realities, advantages and limitations of the treatment in modern psychiatry. It advocates a team approach, which includes social work support and education of the patient and family regarding treatment related matters and discharge planning. Several clinical vignettes are included to illustrate the types of illness for which ECT is used as well as the social work role with the team and patient/family during hospitalization and discharge planning. The Ontario College of Certified Social Workers Guidelines are used to explain social work interventions. The paper is also relevant to social workers in non-psychiatric settings in understanding and planning with patients and families where a member has experienced ECT.
Data from semistructured interviews with families of psychiatric inpatients revealed both satisfaction and dissatisfaction with hospital psychiatry professionals' practices in the course of patient transfer between units. The most significant issues were involvement of families in planning the transfer, provision of timely and adequate information to families, and availability and support of the staff. Recommendations are made for easing family stress and increasing family cooperation about the transfers.
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