HCS111-Week 1- online meeting

Personal Experiences Impacting Social Work

• Importance of speaking up in class; use of chat box for participation.

• Influence of experiences on social workers' advocacy for client needs.

• Recognition of hierarchy in health services, with doctors at the top and social workers at the bottom.

• Role of social workers in helping clients understand medical terminology to make informed decisions.

Case Study: Differing Perspectives

• Stephanie: Logs in late, rushed and stressed. Starts studying after a personal relationship breakdown and working with support services. Motivated by a desire for justice for marginalized individuals.

• Stefan: Logs in early, reflects on his reasons for choosing social work including past experiences in theology and medicine. Emphasizes the need for hope and purpose.

• Contrasts in Experiences: Both students have strong opinions about each other and different motivations for studying social work.

Discussion Questions

• Consider motivations: Who do you identify with more? What strengths and vulnerabilities do they bring to their practice?

• Importance of understanding personal biases from lived experiences as they relate to the practice of social work.

• Example of a candidate with personal experience of loss in oncology: potential impact on professional role.

Lived Experience and Client Connection

• Discussion on preference for social workers with lived experience.

• Argument that older or experienced individuals may be preferred by clients for trust.

• Lived experience can offer validity in treatment and support.

Ethical Considerations in Practice

• Sharing personal beliefs/views in client interactions depends on context.

• Importance of offering clients options while allowing them to make their own decisions.

• Balancing personal stories with professional responsibilities, especially in sensitive contexts.