This study explored clients’ perceptions of the oncology social work services offered at three Cancercare practices in Cape Town. It considered their motivation for using the service as well as their overall experience of the service. Positive aspects as well as the challenges encountered with the service were examined concerning the frequency and nature of intervention, and their professional relationship with the social workers. The research was conducted using a qualitative research design, more specifically phenomenology. Sixteen participants were selected using purposive sampling by the researcher. They were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured interview schedule. The data obtained were analysed using qualitative methods. The findings of this study highlighted the value of a psychosocial service accessible to cancer patients. Psychosocial responses to diagnosis and treatment included the need for information, psychological support for the patient and family, and an assorted range of practical needs. Findings also highlighted the complexities surrounding public perceptions of social workers and psychologists, and the blurred boundaries between the professions in terms of services offered. Participants identified six aspects of the service that were helpful. The challenges encountered with the service were presented in terms of the lack of clarity on the role of the social worker and the need for specific information about the service and external resources. Recommendations were made around the distribution of information within the practice and participants requested regular post-treatment support. Further recommendations were made in terms of professional contact within a public setting, early intervention and future research.

This study explored community-based Palliative Care nurses’ experiences of their work. The aim of this study was to explore the positive aspects of working in palliative care, as well as the challenges that community-based nurses experience in their work. The coping strategies that are employed by these nurses to deal with the difficulties of their work were understood, and the participants provided recommendations to their organisations to improve their working experiences. The research was conducted in two research settings, St Luke’s Combined Hospices and Tygerberg Hospice, which are both non-profit organisations providing Palliative Care in the community. Permission was gained to conduct research by the St Luke’s Combined Hospices Research Ethics Committee, and the Palliative Care Manager at Tygerberg Hospice. A qualitative research design was used to conduct this study, and purposive sampling was used to select the sample. Fourteen nurses were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule, and a digital recorder was used so that interviews could be recorded accurately. Qualitative data analysis was used to arrange the data into themes, categories and subcategories. Findings from the study indicate that there is a great sense of satisfaction from working in Palliative Care and positive aspects include feelings of honour and privilege, making a difference, appreciation from patients and families, life lessons learnt, having a role in the community and working in a team. The perceived challenges were emotional challenges such as persistent rumination about work, feelings of helplessness and dealing with challenging families. Organisational challenges pertained to demanding workloads and a lack of organisational support. Personal challenges were seen as having a negative impact on the physical health and family lives of participants. Lastly, environmental challenges included issues around safety and driving to communities. Coping strategies were the support from family and friends, avoidance coping and self-care as well as group support and debriefing and support from colleagues. Lastly, recommendations include an open-door policy within the organisation, improved training and education, a better understanding of community Palliative Care, improved interaction with staff and staff reward and recognition.

The aim of this study was to examine the level of empathy of second-year Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) students using the Empathy Assessment Index (EAI), and the findings were contextualised within the South African social work training policies. The Social Work Model of Empathy and the social cognitive neuroscientific definition of empathy the EAI was built on, forms the guiding theoretical frame for this study. It is often assumed that social work students have adequate levels of empathy and this research study was a first step in determining if this was correct. This has contributed to the discussion on social work education, specifically if more direct instruction or policy changes may be necessary concerning empathy in social work training. The researcher utilised a quantitative research methodology in conjunction with the Empathy Assessment Index in order to collect the data. Univariate descriptive data analysis was used in order to illustrate the findings in a logical and understandable format. The research was conducted using second-year BSW students (n=40) from a Western Cape University and the study found that the respondents had an overall high level of empathy. However, the component score for Emotional Regulation was fairly low. This, according to the literature, could prevent a person from accessing the full benefits of an empathic experience. It was recommended that universities consider implementing more direct methods to train and increase empathic ability. Furthermore, considering how new the study of empathy is to social work in South Africa, it was also recommended that further studies are required for better implementation of the construct, especially to determine what an optimal level of empathy is for a social work student

This study explored the concept of medical tourism and the subjective experiences of international patients seeking inpatient eating disorder (ED) treatment at a private inpatient ED clinic in South Africa. This research aimed to shed light on what patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) feel are essential features of a high-quality ED service at Akeso Montrose Manor specifically, and what they found to be concerning about ED treatments received prior, especially in the United Kingdom. The research aimed to explore the participant's reasons for seeking treatment at Akeso Montrose Manor, their expectations of treatment, their experience of treatment and their recommendations regarding the treatment of international patients. Ex-patients from the United Kingdom were chosen for this study, as a high number of admissions for treatment at Akeso Montrose Manor are from the United Kingdom. This therefore provoked an interest in exploring the reasons why these patients search for specialised out-of-country treatment. The research was conducted using a qualitative research design. Twenty participants were selected using purposive sampling by the researcher. They were interviewed face-to-face and via Skype using a semi-structured interview schedule. The data obtained was analysed using qualitative methods. The findings of this study highlighted several difficulties experienced in the United Kingdom when seeking treatment and also highlighted the value of residential inpatient treatment centres, extended treatment for ED's and the importance of specialised ED treatment teams and units. The results included that participants came to South Africa, due to challenges experienced in accessing treatment in the United Kingdom and treatment largely being dictated by weight and focused mostly on weight restoration. Expectations met during their stay in South Africa, included structure, safety and specialised ED treatment and staff and expectations not met whilst in treatment at Akeso Montrose Manor included limited time with the dietician and psychiatrist, and their belief that they would be fixed post-discharge. Participants made recommendations for the clinic with regards to the treatment of international clientele, which included more focus on post discharge planning and support. Further recommendations were made for improved service delivery at Akeso Montrose Manor as well as further research.

Bibliography: leaves 114-120.

Bibliography: leaves 95-99. / This study aims to explore therapists' attitudes, and therapeutic work with patients diagnosed with cluster B personality disorder, that is anti-social, narcissistic, borderline or histrionic personality disorder, in accordance with the diagnostic criteria as described in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. The study also aims to discuss treatment choices for patients diagnosed with anti-social, narcissistic, borderline or histrionic personality disorder as well as the value and use of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual as diagnostic tool.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references. / This study emanates from the fact that trauma is an increasing reality in our society and it has a particular focus on social workers who work with clientele that have been exposed to and who have suffered trauma. As a result and by using clinical judgment of social workers working in such environments, the social workers may have developed Secondary Traumatic Stress (S.T.S.) symptoms. Psychosocial support functions as a preventative and supportive tool for social workers and emotion-focussed programmes have beneficial effects on the psychosocial wellbeing of social workers by reducing their distress. This study will be exploring a psychosocial intervention called Equine Assisted Therapy (E.A.T.), which makes use of horses in a therapeutic model and enables clients to interact with horses on an emotional and metaphorical level that empowers clients to experience emotional and behavioural change and growth. The significance of this study is to enable the researcher to explore E.A.T. as a possible psychosocial intervention that can provide support for social workers and health care professionals alike who work in environments where they are exposed to high levels of trauma. The researcher made use of a qualitative paradigm that was explorative in nature to gain perspective of the chosen topic. The population for the study comprised of 16 social workers that work in the family violence, child welfare and sexual assault field and who attended a once-off Equine Assisted Therapy (E.A.T.) session to expose them to the therapy model being explored. The participants then volunteered for a semi-structured interview with the researcher which was digitally recorded, thereby allowing the researcher to collect the data and then analyse the data.

Includes abstract.|Includes bibliographical references. / This study was an exploration into the perceptions of race of coloured children in a child and youth care centre, Leliebloem House. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ways in which race is still present in the lives of these children, who were supposedly “untouched” by the former Apartheid dispensation.

Includes bibliography. / Despite the severity and extent of battering, the experiences of battered women remain largely hidden and unacknowledged due to the privacy of the family and the relative unimportance accorded women in a sexist society where male dominance and control are sanctioned. This study attempts to break some of the silence surrounding the problems and experiences of battered women with a view to influencing clinical practice. Battering is situated within its social, historical and theoretical context offering a feminist analysis to provide most clarity on this complex issue. Battering is regarded as one form of extensive male violence against women, and viewed as an extension of behaviour and roles supported and encouraged by the dominant culture. The sample consisted of nine battered women drawn from the case-loads of counsellors who are members of the Coordinated Action for Battered Women group. A feminist methodology which attempts to do research for women rather than on women, was adhered to. Within this the experiences of women themselves are sought to elucidate the general position and experience of women thereby allowing the personal/individual to be connected with political/collective spheres. The research was conducted in the form of a literature search followed by holding individual in-depth interviews with open-ended questions to elicit qualitative data on the women's relationships, their experiences of violence, and their experiences of helping agents. From the transcribed interviews common themes and trends· were drawn out, highlighting the difficulties facing battered women and thereby signifying the complex psychological and practical factors which may keep women trapped in violent relationships. The women's stories therefore serve to indicate issues which clinicians need to consider in their work with battered women. Findings indicate that clinicians need to have a thorough knowledge of the complexities of battering, the effects on women, the resources available and that their role of advocate and change-agent be amplified since socio-legal and economic forces prove the major constraints to battered women. Recommendations for training and increased resources are therefore made. Feminist therapy is advocated as the most appropriate for battered women since its principles and tenets embrace issues such as power, domination, gender, social change and consciousness which are fundamental to an adequate analysis of battering.

Bibliography: pages 119-123. / The area of young persons caring for the physically disabled is a relatively new field of research. In South Africa, limited attention has been devoted to adult carers; young carers have not been addressed. In Britain, the role of young carers has been highlighted in the course of several research projects. The aim of the present research project was to investigate via the exploratory research methodology, the appropriateness of children caring for physically disabled persons.