The 4 "Q's" of Social Work in caring for people with neurological disorders: what, who, why, and why

Abstract

This article shows the approach to the professional knowledge of health social work that carries out its intervention from and with people who suffer from a neurological disease. Although the figure of the social work professional is consolidated in the field of health, its inclusion in the field of neurology is recent and there is no regulation of the functions, competences, or professional profile. Labor, which is yet to be defined. The objective, to make visible the need for the specialization of social work in the intervention with people with neurological diseases. The four fundamental pillars justify its recognition: the “what”, definition and functions, “who”, “what for” and “why” of it.
The analysis of the experience of years integrated in the area of neurology of the University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid shows benefits of the specialized knowledge opposite to the generalist formation. An effective social intervention with the patient is achieved by incorporating the neurological damages produced in the person and their repercussion in their bio-psycho-functional situation conditioned by the evolution of the disease. In the family, advice and specialized social support, to the team where it is integrated and to the profession, gives them social and institutional legitimacy.