Social work involvement in the COVID-19 response in China: Interdisciplinary remote networking

Abstract

Summary Social workers in China have been involved significantly in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article introduces the innovative interdisciplinary remote networking framework which both provides a guide for medical and community social workers’ involvement during the COVID-19 outbreaks, and also to support interdisciplinary collaboration with the aim of helping individuals and families in need during the pandemic. Findings The implementation of interdisciplinary remote networking, developed by Chinese social workers, has effectively addressed the different domains of need experienced by the affected population and has established a new approach for social work in the field of health. The framework also provides an effective model for setting up a targeted and sustained service system that links social workers with psychological and medical resources, which capitalize on social resources to buffer the negative impacts of the disease. Social workers play an essential role during such a public health emergency, providing critical services for patients and families, medical workers, self-quarantined residents, and the general population. Applications The service mode of interdisciplinary remote networking, based on the frontline experiences of social work interventions in China, may serve as a framework for combating COVID-19 in other countries. The framework is among the initiatives that provide transferrable skills to social work practitioners working in network-based social work services during public health emergencies. Thus, the framework presents implications for future practice development in both disaster social work and also public health social work.

COVID-19 Fear, Resilience, Social Support, Anxiety, and Suicide among College Students in Spain

“…In this university context, social workers play an essential role during the current public health emergency. In addition to the teaching role, the professional field is crucial to articulate different resources (social, medical, and psychological) that can cushion the negative impacts of the pandemic [88]. Moreover, authors such as Cifuentes-Faura [89] argue for the need to incorporate the social work perspective into the mental healthcare of college students.…”

Social Work Core Competencies in Disaster Management Practice: An Integrative Review

“…This may be related to social work's traditional emphasis on being sensitive to the contexts and needs of communities (Dominelli, 2012). For instance, Yu et al (2021) documented an interdisciplinary remote networking approach developed by Chinese social workers who successfully linked communities with psychological and medical resources during the COVID-19 response. However, a clearer articulation of collaboration competencies for social work is necessary, be they multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary collaboration in disaster contexts.…”

The Role of Social Work for Emergency Medical Services (EMS): A Systematic Review

“…Social workers also educate and train individuals, families, and the community. [26][27][28][29][30][31] Facilitator-Social workers facilitate community participation in the health system needs, cultural relevance, and outcomes of care. They also facilitate the expression of feelings, symptoms, and worries about diseases.…”

“…They also facilitate the expression of feelings, symptoms, and worries about diseases. [26][27][28][29][30][31] Awareness Building-Social workers build awareness among diverse cultural and ethnic groups in terms of the health system. They are also aware of people's self-management habits.…”