Ethical Issues in Hospital-based Social Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case from Uganda, with a Commentary

IF 0.7 Q4 SOCIAL WORK

Ethics and Social Welfare Pub Date : 2022-09-15 DOI:10.1080/17496535.2022.2117014

Denis Adia, Sarah Banks

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Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper comprises a case study illustrating ethical and practical challenges for a Ugandan hospital-based social worker early in the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a commentary. The hospital was under-resourced, with staff and patients experiencing lack of information and panic. The social worker, Denis Adia, recounts his responses to new and ethically challenging situations, including persuading Muslim patients to stop fasting for the good of their health; deciding to keep a baby in hospital with parents although this was against the rules; and supporting a stigmatised former patient in the face of intimidation by colleagues. He reflects on the importance of recognising each person’s unique needs and circumstances, seeing this as a vital role for social workers. The case is followed by a commentary from a UK academic (Sarah Banks), who notes the cognitive and emotional effort (‘ethics work’) undertaken by the social worker to: see the ethical aspects of particular situations; take account of patients’ specific needs; ensure they are treated with respect; promote their well-being; and perform as a good social worker. Banks draws attention to the key role of the virtue of courage in pandemic conditions, which involves working with new risks and facing fears with confidence.

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新冠肺炎大流行期间住院社会工作中的伦理问题：以乌干达为例并附评论

摘要本文包括一个案例研究，说明了新冠肺炎大流行早期乌干达医院社会工作者面临的道德和实践挑战，随后是一篇评论。医院资源不足，工作人员和病人都感到缺乏信息和恐慌。社会工作者Denis Adia讲述了他对新的、具有道德挑战性的情况的反应，包括说服穆斯林患者为了健康停止禁食；决定让孩子和父母一起住院，尽管这是违反规定的；面对同事的恐吓，支持一位被污名化的前病人。他反思了承认每个人独特需求和环境的重要性，认为这是社会工作者的重要角色。该案例之后，一位英国学者（Sarah Banks）发表了评论，她指出了社会工作者为以下目的所做的认知和情感努力（“道德工作”）：了解特定情况的道德方面；考虑患者的具体需求；确保他们受到尊重；促进他们的福祉；做一个好的社会工作者。银行提请人们注意勇气美德在疫情条件下的关键作用，这包括应对新的风险和自信地面对恐惧。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ethics and Social Welfare SOCIAL WORK-

CiteScore

1.60

自引率

20.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Ethics and Social Welfare publishes articles of a critical and reflective nature concerned with the ethical issues surrounding social welfare practice and policy. It has a particular focus on social work (including practice with individuals, families and small groups), social care, youth and community work and related professions. The aim of the journal is to encourage dialogue and debate across social, intercultural and international boundaries on the serious ethical issues relating to professional interventions into social life. Through this we hope to contribute towards deepening understandings and further ethical practice in the field of social welfare. The journal welcomes material in a variety of formats, including high quality peer-reviewed academic papers, reflections, debates and commentaries on policy and practice, book reviews and review articles. We actively encourage a diverse range of contributions from academic and field practitioners, voluntary workers, service users, carers and people bringing the perspectives of oppressed groups. Contributions might include reports on research studies on the influence of values and ethics in social welfare practice, education and organisational structures, theoretical papers discussing the evolution of social welfare values and ethics, linked to contemporary philosophical, social and ethical thought, accounts of ethical issues, problems and dilemmas in practice, and reflections on the ethics and values of policy and organisational development. The journal aims for the highest standards in its published material. All material submitted to the journal is subject to a process of assessment and evaluation through the Editors and through peer review.