The experiences of social workers working in multi-disciplinary teams in state hospitals in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Following South Africa’s independence in 1994, the number of hospital social work posts in state hospitals were substantially increased. Subsequently, unprecedented contextual changes have affected hospital services, including hospital social workers. This study focused on the experiences, challenges and coping strategies of social workers working in multi- disciplinary teams in state hospitals in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, amidst these changes. A qualitative approach using a phenomenological research design, augmented by exploratory, descriptive and contextual research designs was used. The purposive sample of ten social workers based in eight state hospitals in the Waterberg District were interviewed using semi-structured interviews facilitated by an interview guide. The analysis of the data was achieved using Tesch’s eight steps in coding (1992:117). The bioecological systems approach (Bronfenbrenner 2005) and the Life Model theory (Gitterman & Germain 2008) were combined to frame the study. The data collected were supported by a virtual online discussion forum. Guba and Lincoln’s (1981) concept of trustworthiness: principles of credibility, transferability, dependability and neutrality were used to verify the data. Ethical principles of informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity, beneficence and careful management of data upheld the ethical integrity of study and the safety of research participants.