Mental health important in medical social work role
Tricia Hutton wears many hats in her role as the In-Centre Hemodialysis Social Worker at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. From patient advocacy and navigation, to securing transportation and financial resources and providing support to meet social and mental health needs, she does it all, just like her social work colleagues.
Social workers do their best to maintain a fine balance in trying to manage expectations when a patient’s recovery does not go as planned, their health declines, or they need to explore end-of-life planning.
“Patients face challenges adjusting to transitioning from one therapy to another, delays in accessing treatment closer to home, and changes in their social support system if they have to be away from home for extended periods of time,” Hutton said.
But there is also great reward in seeing a patient transition to home-based therapy, secure a spot to receive treatment closer to home, and, on rare occasions, planning for a kidney transplant.
“Seeing patients make small and steady changes that improve their lives and have such a positive impact for them is very gratifying.”