FEMI ADEBIYI SOLEYE
SENIOR MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER, MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK UNIT, DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH SERVICES, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA
Overview of role
In my role, I am responsible for facilitating the admission of referred patients at secondary health care facilities, providing case management, and conducting follow-up care services. I also help facilitate contact tracing of patients that have communicable diseases such as Tuberculosis. I provide psycho-social support for patients, counseling patients on their medical diagnoses and adherence to medications, as well as conducting family therapy. My role also includes supervising junior social workers in the department, and implementing advocacy efforts aimed at preventing child labor and other forms of abuse and exploitation of children.
As a result of my work, I have seen a lot of patients with psychological concerns able to return to their normal life. I have also been able to link patients to various services outside my work and the results have been outstanding.
Motivation
I decided to become a medical social worker because I noticed many cases at health facilities don’t require medication and I wanted to provide services that can help alleviate those other problems that people may be facing. This includes victims of sexual abuse, who also need the services of a medical social worker when they come to the health facility, and it has been my honor to attend to them.
Education/Training
I am a trained Medical Laboratory Technician as well as holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work.
Important skills for social workers in health facilities to have
To work in a health facility as a social worker, one needs to have good listening and communication skills as well as be patient and empathetic. One also needs to have knowledge of crisis intervention management and knowledge of specific therapies that can be used to address issues confronting patients.
Most rewarding aspect of job
The most rewarding aspect of my job is when I see people overcome their challenges through my services, especially in situations when drugs or medication failed. For example, when I have been able to help patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, it has brought joy to my heart.
Most challenging aspect of job
The most challenging aspect of my work is handling patients with substance abuse disorders, which is rampant among the university students attending our health facility. It takes a lot of time before many of them comply with the proposed treatment plans.
Importance of social service workers in health facilities
I happen to be the pioneer of the medical social service unit at my health facility. Before the establishment of the unit, patients were referred to secondary health care facilities, which were often not easy to find. Since our unit opened, we have seen great improvement. Doctors now refer patients to us for social services and people from the community come on their own for treatment and counseling.
All health facilities need the services of social workers, including those with psycho-social issues, substance abuse disorders or disabilities and bereaved family members.
