The Role of Medical Social Work in Supporting Families of Individuals with Mental Health Disorders: A Case Study of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Although mental health disorders are becoming more widespread in Pakistan, psychosocial requirements of families with affected persons are still not well understood and addressed in the medical care system. Poor mental health infrastructure, insufficiency of professional trained services, and small community-based services often subject families to long-term care giving. Research Objectives of the study are: To investigate the roles and professional activities of medical social workers in the provision of psychosocial support to the families of the people having mental illness in Punjab, Pakistan. To determine psychosocial, emotional, and practical support of families with persons with mental health disorders in health care facilities in Punjab. To find out the perceptions and experiences of family members on the effectiveness of medical social work interventions on the ability to cope and well-being. To determine the institutional, cultural, and systemic obstacles involved in the provision and functionality of medical social work services to families of people with mental health conditions in Punjab, Pakistan. A qualitative research design was used in this study to examine the Medical social work role of the family of individuals with mental health conditions in Punjab, Pakistan. This study was carried out in some mental health care institutions in Punjab, Pakistan. The population was made up of medical social workers and the family members of people with mental disorders. The participants were selected through a purposive sampling method which considered only those who had the direct experience of the phenomenon under study. This was done to provide good and pertinent qualitative information. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were adopted as a method of data collection because they provide flexibility whilst focusing on important areas of the research. The interview questions covered psychosocial support, caregiving, interventions of the social work. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze data and presented in accordance with the offered framework. Coding of the interview transcripts was done in a systematic manner so as to establish patterns and recurring themes. The approach helped to have a structured and significant interpretation of the narratives of participants.