Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leave 110-114). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-74) Also available in print.

This thesis has reviewed the medical care programme for public assistance recipients in British Columbia. It has been concerned with eligibility qualifications, the extent of services provided, and the administration and financing of these services. As background material, recent developments in social assistance medical care in Canada were summarized. Particular attention was given to an analysis of the Saskatchewan programme, as its philosophy of public assistance is similar to that of British Columbia. Eligibility for medical services is not a complex subject in British Columbia because it simply extends to all categories of public assistance. The same may be said of the actual provision of services. British Columbia does not have the usual administrative tangles usually surrounding the kinds of services offered because of the fact that it has chosen to provide comprehensive care. The administration and financing of the programme offers plenty of material for discussion by the student of public administration. It is evident that the provincial role is predominant, as is true of many aspects of provincial-municipal relations in British Columbia. The contribution of the municipalities is largely confined to a share in the financing of the scheme, and this is not large. The Director of the Medical Services Division carries administrative responsibility for the programme, but the Canadian Medical Association (B.C. Division) through its Social Assistance Medical Service is responsible for remuneration to the individual physician from a pooled fund provided by the provincial government. The administration of public funds by a private body is a much-discussed issue in the extension of public medical care, but it suffices here to state that the plan seems to be working satisfactorily in British Columbia. Probably the distinctive contribution of the programme is the integration of the physician and the social worker in the planning of the physical and social rehabilitation of the individual. The relatively comprehensive nature of services, both medical and of a social work nature, contribute to the integration. The extension of medical care is now a lively issue in Canada, and has become a focal point in federal-provincial relations. British Columbia has prepared itself for an inclusive programme through the introduction of hospital insurance, but its pioneering in medical care for the needy may also be of aid in the planning of the larger programme which must inevitably come. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

This is an exploratory study intended to determine whether certain physicians in primary practice utilize the services of social workers and social agencies. An attempt is made to find out how much primary care physicians know about the role and functions of medical social workers, and whether and for what services they refer patients to medical social workers. The information obtained may be useful in promoting better working relationships between the two professions.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1983.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1978.

A study was undertaken of the stressful life situations of 87 duodenal ulcer patients (50 Indian and 37 Black males) and a control group of 75 non-ulcer patients (43 Indian and 32 Black males). The majority of the control group were orthopaedic patients selected on the grounds that they were not hospitalised for a psychosomatic complaint. The group emerged, however, as highly stressed in relation to possible work and income loss, because of their injuries. The duodenal ulcer and non-ulcer groups were similar in many demographic details and in several stressful life situations. There was a significantly higher reporting of stress in family life, in the work situation and as a result of the illness itself, by duodenal ulcer patients compared with the controls. The initial hypothesis that there would be more areas perceived of as stressful in the case of duodenal ulcer patients than controls was confirmed in the study. A minor hypothesis that there would be cross-cultural differences in the perception of stress was also confirmed. The follow-up study of Indian duodenal ulcer patients demonstrated the development of an "illness career" consisting of a periodic response to stress with onset or recurrence of duodenal ulcer symptoms accompanied by changes in the individual's family system. Minuchin's (1978) concept of enmeshment or disengagement in family systems was found to be applicable to the duodenal ulcer patient. The symptom served to maintain family homeostasis by transforming family conflict into care and concern, or by legitamising the under-functioning of the sick person. The role of social work intervention in relation to duodenal ulcer disease was explored through the establishment of a medical social work programme at the Gastro-Intestinal Unit, King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban. It was shown that the psychosocial aspects of duodenal ulcer disease must receive attention, together with medical treatment, if comprehensive patient care is to be achieved. Intervention should emphasise self management of stress through behaviour modification and cognitive restructuring. Family therapy is essential in cases where the symptom has a function in the family system. Many systems are involved in the aetiology and treatment of duodenal ulcer disease. A general systems approach is therefore useful in promoting a holistic view of the person and the illness. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1983.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.