Time orientations in the collaboration of social workers and general practitioners

Social workers and general medical practitioners have suggested that differences in time orientations are a source of conflict in inter-occupational collaboration. Little attempt has been made to elaborate these differences. Arising from the author's development of a model of inter-occupational relationships, this article presents an analysis of the contrasting time orientations of these two occupations. Divided into three sections, the first deals with their manifestation in one aspect of the work orientation of social workers and general practitioners, the second with their relationship to the nature of work done in each occupation, and particularly to the nature of practitioner relationships with patients or clients, the third with their relationship to the type of income enjoyed by each profession and its impact on the development of effective inter-occupational collaboration. Illustrations of the manifestation and impact of these differences are derived from a social work attachment project conducted in Sydney, Australia.