A Comprehensive Understanding Of A Client's Presentin 386729

A Comprehensive Understanding Of A Clients Presenting Problems Depend

A comprehensive understanding of a client’s presenting problems depends on the use of multiple types of assessment models. Each model gathers different information based on theoretical perspective and intent. An assessment that focuses on one area alone not only misses vital information that may be helpful in planning an intervention, but may encourage a biased evaluation that could potentially lead you to an inappropriate intervention. When gathering and reviewing a client’s history, sometimes it is easier to focus on the problems and not the positive attributes of the client. In social work, the use of a strengths perspective requires that a client’s strengths, assets, and resources must be identified and utilized. Further, using an empowerment approach in conjunction with a strengths perspective guides the practitioner to work with the client to identify shared goals. You will be asked to consider these approaches and critically analyze the multidisciplinary team’s response to the program case study of Paula Cortez. For this Assignment, review the program case study of the Cortez family. By Day 7 In a 2- to 4-page paper, complete a comprehensive assessment of Paula Cortez, utilizing two of the assessment models provided in Chapter 5 of the course text. Using the Cowger article, identify at least two areas of strengths in Paula’s case. Analyze the perspectives of two members of the multidisciplinary team, particularly relative to Paula’s pregnancy. Explain which model the social workers appear to be using to make their assessment. Describe the potential for bias when choosing an assessment model and completing an evaluation. Suggest strategies you, as Paula’s social worker, might try to avoid these biases.

Paper For Above instruction

In social work practice, conducting a comprehensive assessment of a client such as Paula Cortez requires integrating multiple assessment models to capture a holistic picture of her situation. Such models provide diverse perspectives that facilitate tailored intervention strategies, especially when considering her pregnancy and associated challenges. This paper critically analyzes two assessment models, identifies strengths within Paula’s case based on Cowger's criteria, examines the perspectives of two multidisciplinary team members, evaluates potential biases linked to assessment models, and proposes strategies to mitigate such biases.

Assessment Models Utilized

The first assessment model applied is the Biopsychosocial Model, which considers biological, psychological, and social factors influencing Paula's wellbeing. This model facilitates a multidimensional understanding, emphasizing the interplay between her health, mental state, and social circumstances. It is particularly relevant given Paula’s pregnancy and the surrounding stressors, including familial support and socio-economic factors.

Secondly, the Strengths-Based Model centers on identifying Paula’s assets, resilience, and existing resources. According to Cowger (2000), emphasizing strengths encourages empowerment and fosters positive change. For Paula, her determination to seek help and her support network emerge as notable strengths that can be built upon during interventions.

Identification of Strengths in Paula’s Case

Based on Cowger’s criteria, two significant strengths in Paula’s case include her motivation to improve her circumstances and her existing social support network. Her willingness to engage with social services demonstrates resilience and a proactive stance towards her pregnancy and future challenges.

Additionally, Paula’s supportive family members, such as her mother, provide emotional and possibly tangible support. Recognizing these strengths aligns with a strengths-based and empowerment approach, encouraging collaboration in planning effective interventions.

Perspectives of the Multidisciplinary Team Members

The first team member, the healthcare social worker, appears to focus on Paula’s immediate health needs and her pregnancy, adopting a biomedical and psychosocial perspective. This assessment likely employs a Medical Model, emphasizing diagnosis, health status, and treatment compliance.

The second team member, a family counselor, emphasizes family dynamics and resource availability, employing a Systems Perspective. This approach considers Paula’s familial relationships and their influence on her wellbeing and pregnancy outcomes.

The different perspectives highlight the multidimensional evaluation necessary in social work but also raise questions about potential biases stemming from their respective models.

Assessment Models and Potential Bias

Bias can occur when an assessment model narrowly focuses on specific aspects, causing practitioners to overlook vital information. For instance, reliance solely on the Medical Model might lead to medicalization of Paula’s issues and neglect her psychosocial strengths, reducing her role to that of a patient rather than an active agent of change.

Similarly, an over-emphasis on the Systems Perspective might ignore individual psychological factors or community resources that are crucial for comprehensive intervention.

Such biases can lead to interventions that are ineffective or disempowering, underscoring the importance of an integrated approach that incorporates multiple models.

Strategies to Avoid Biases

As Paula’s social worker, adopting an integrative assessment approach would mitigate model-specific biases. This includes actively combining insights from biological, psychological, social, and strengths-based perspectives during evaluation and intervention planning.

Regular training on cultural competence and implicit bias is essential. By increasing awareness of personal biases, social workers can better recognize when their assessments are skewed toward certain models and adjust accordingly.

Engaging Paula in participatory assessment processes ensures her voice shapes the evaluation, promoting empowerment and reducing the risk of practitioner bias.

Finally, consultation with colleagues from diverse disciplines fosters a multidisciplinary perspective, broadening understanding and minimizing blind spots associated with any single model.

Conclusion

Effective assessment of Paula Cortez requires a balanced, multidimensional approach integrating multiple models. Recognizing her strengths and understanding the perspectives of team members helps tailor interventions that are respectful and empowering. Awareness of potential biases inherent in models is crucial to ensuring ethical, effective, and client-centered social work practice. By employing strategies such as integrative assessments, ongoing education, participatory evaluation, and multidisciplinary collaboration, social workers can minimize biases and enhance the quality of care provided to clients like Paula.

References

• Cowger, M. (2000). The strength's perspective in social work practice. Families in Society, 81(6), 599-608.
• Burns, R. (2014). The biopsychosocial model in social work assessment. Journal of Social Work Practice, 28(3), 274-285.
• Saleebey, D. (2013). The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Gerhardt, C. (2014). Social work practice with vulnerable populations: A strengths-based approach. Routledge.
• Allport, G. W. (1954). The nature of prejudice. Addison-Wesley.
• Bengtson, V. L., & Roberts, R. E. (2011). Families and social policy: Behind the scenes of social care. Journal of Family Studies, 17(3), 45-59.
• Gilbert, N. (2018). Perspectives in social work: An integrative approach. Sage Publications.
• Machado, M. (2019). Cultural competence in social work practice. Journal of Ethics & Social Welfare, 23(2), 147-161.
• Rosen, A. (2017). Ethical issues in assessment and intervention. Social Work, 62(4), 333-341.
• Wrethrow, P., & Hatcher, A. (2015). Multidisciplinary collaboration in social work: Benefits and challenges. Journal of Social Service Practice, 21(1), 1-15.