The duties of the social worker in the hospital environment understanding the multidisciplinary team about professional performance

Abstract

Confusion and doubts about the professional role of social workers in the health sector are common. When created, the profession had a conservative bias, linked to religious precepts, whose actions were seen as favor or charity. Although the social worker is a liberal professional enrolled in the social and technical division of work, this external difficulty in understanding professional work can compromise comprehensive care for SUS users. Objective: This study proposed to investigate social workers' perception of the multidisciplinary team's knowledge regarding their duties. Method: Research was carried out using an online questionnaire with statutory social workers who work in a hospital in Brasília and a review of literature related to the topic. Results: Based on the data collected, it was evident that social workers consider there to be significant challenges in exercising their profession. These challenges are linked to integration with multidisciplinary teams and the recognition of their responsibilities, in addition to pointing out the referral of inappropriate demands and the need for communication strategies in the hospital environment. Conclusion: The research demonstrated the need to value the role of the social worker, overcoming demotivation caused by lack of knowledge of their duties. Promoting mutual respect between categories and clarifying roles is essential to reduce undue demands and strengthen interdisciplinarity. Improving communication, collaborative work and professional development policies are fundamental to integrating social dimensions into health care and improving service in the SUS.