SWP4LHE Assessment 3 Case Scenarios
SWP4LHE Assessment 3 Case Scenarios
CASE SCENARIO 3: HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKER
Nathan is 40 years old. He is married to Susan and they have two children, Olivia (6 years old) and Rosie (4 years old).Nathan works as a primary school teacher and is an active member of his local community through his involvement with one of the local soccer clubs. Six weeks ago, he was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive brain cancer. Conventional treatment for this form of cancer eases some of the anticipated painful side effects, but has not been successful in significantly slowing down the progression of the cancer. Death is likely to occur within 12 months regardless of treatment.
The progression of the cancer means that Nathan is unlikely to be able to look after himself in relation to his basic daily needs within 3 to 4 months. He is currently in hospital receiving a trial treatment that has had some limited success overseas in slowing the progression of the cancer, but not in curing it. Nathan has appeared to hospital staff to be calm about his diagnosis and prognosis.He only becomes visibly emotional when he talks about the impact on his family. Nathan says that he does not want to burden his family.His father died from cancer when he was younger and was cared for by his mother at home.He does not want this for Susan and the children.
You work as a social worker at the Catholic hospital where Nathan is receiving treatment. The hospital has an informal policy that discourages staff from having conversations with patients about assisted dying. You have met with Nathan and Susan together and individually at different times over the last few weeks. Nathan has asked to speak to you again.The nurse who made the referral said that Nathan wants to know more about assisted dying. You know from previous conversations with Susan that she does not religiously or morally support assisted dying and does not consider this an option for Nathan.
SWP4LHE Assessment 3 Part B Recommended report format and required content
Introduction and overview
Provide a brief overview/summary of the key issues as indicated in the case scenario (do not repeat the scenario information verbatim)
Briefly identify the purpose of the report (e.g. to apply Reamers decision-making framework to the scenario in order to reach a justifiable recommendation course of action for the social worker, and demonstrating appropriate consideration of relevant legal, human rights, ethical and practice issues/considerations)
Identify key ethical issues, including conflicts/potential conflicts between social work ethics, values and duties (step 1 of Reamers framework)
Identify and discuss the individuals, groups and organizations likely to be affected by the decision (step 2 of Reamers framework)
Identify all potentially viable courses of action available to the social worker in the scenario, and briefly describe the potential benefits and risks of each (step 3 of Reamers framework)
Provide a thorough examination of the reasons in favour of and opposed to each possible course of action as previously identified (step 4 of Reamers framework). This section/step requires students to demonstrate:
Accurate understanding and application of relevant legislation and key legal principles
Accurate understanding and application of relevant human rights
Accurate understanding and application of relevant social work ethical principles with explicit reference to relevant sections of AASW Code of Ethics 2010
Identification of any relevant personal values and consideration of how these could potentially influence decision making/how these would be managed
Consideration of relevant social work practice issues (these include issues relating to the employment context/role of the social worker in the scenario, as well as relevant best practice principles applicable to this field of practice)
Briefly describe any broader consultation that the social worker should engage in before making a final decision (step 5 of Reamers framework)
Discuss the final decision and provide a rationale for this (what the social worker should do and why) (step 6 of Reamers framework)
Additional instructions (please refer also to assessment criteria on LMS)
As this is a report format, section headings, sub-headings and bulleted points are permitted. However, the format used must be balanced and enable adequate discussion of key points (e.g. dont overuse bullet points)
Also, students may include an appendix with their report. For example, in previous years some students have found it helpful to provide a summary of their examination of possible courses of action and associated considerations (as per step 4 of Reamers framework detailed above) in a table format. They then refer to that table/appendix in their discussion (as is commonplace in formal report writing). Note: if using a table/appendix in this way, students must still provide adequate discussion of this step of their decision making within the body of the report (ie the table/appendix must not be used as a complete replacement of discussion in this section of the report). Any information provided in the appendix will not count toward the 1750 word assessment limit but will still be considered in the marking against the assessment criteria. See example of appendix table below.
It is expected that students draw on suitable literature (including literature/resources used in the course ie required readings, recommended/additional readings, lecture references) and use appropriate referencing. When citing legislation, full and accurate names of Acts must be used. Students may use an appropriately shortened form of the legislation title in subsequent citations.
295275466725Reamers decision-making model/framework
Identify the ethical issues, including the social work values and duties that conflict
Identify the individuals, groups and organizations likely to be affected by the decision
Tentatively identify all viable courses of action and the participants involved in each action, along with the potential benefits and risks of each
Thoroughly examine the reasons in favor of and opposed to each course of action, considering relevant:-
ethical theories, principles & guidelines
codes of Ethics and legal principles
social work practice theory and principles
personal values (including religious, cultural and ethnic values and political ideologies), particularly those those conflict with ones own
Consult with colleagues and appropriate experts
Make the decision and document the decision-making process
Monitor evaluate and document the outcomes of the decision
(Reamer, 2103)
00Reamers decision-making model/framework
Identify the ethical issues, including the social work values and duties that conflict
Identify the individuals, groups and organizations likely to be affected by the decision
Tentatively identify all viable courses of action and the participants involved in each action, along with the potential benefits and risks of each
Thoroughly examine the reasons in favor of and opposed to each course of action, considering relevant:-
ethical theories, principles & guidelines
codes of Ethics and legal principles
social work practice theory and principles
personal values (including religious, cultural and ethnic values and political ideologies), particularly those those conflict with ones own
Consult with colleagues and appropriate experts
Make the decision and document the decision-making process
Monitor evaluate and document the outcomes of the decision
(Reamer, 2103)
Example: Reamers Step 4 table in appendix:
Possible course of action Legal, ethical, human rights and practice considerations Reasons in favour of this course of action Reasons opposed to this course of action
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
SWP4LHE Assessment 3 Part A
Instructions:
Use this template to complete Assessment 3 Part A. The purpose of this assessment is to develop a plan to complete Assessment 3 Part B. The word limit is 500 words. Dot points are acceptable. References are not required for Part A, however, you do need to note the sources of information you used.
Submit this template via turnit in on LMS.
Student Name:
Case Scenario 3: HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKER
Relevant legislation and key
legal issues. Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Vic) Is Nathan within the timeframe
Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 (Vic) - advanced care directive
Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic) Informed consent
Guardianship and Administration Act 2019 (Vic) Is his wife going to be his decision maker.
Health Services Act 1988 (Vic) can staff get in trouble due to an informal policy
Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) Right to privacy
Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)
Relevant human rights Right to life - Every person has the right to life and has the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of life.
Right to life - this does NOT stop VAD
Recognition and equality before the law - his wife's rights don't override his rights
Relevant social work ethics AASW Code of Ethics, 2020 4.1 Cultural safety and sensitivity - recognition of own views, bias and religion, and respect others' views.
4.2 Commitment to social justice and human rights - show respect and fairness in interactions with service users promote positive discrimination if needed.
4.3 Social work service and propriety - act with integrity, honesty and trustworthiness, be accountable and obey the law.
4.5 Conflicts of interest - ensure service users interests are priority
5.1.1 Social workers will maintain the best interests of service users as a priority with due
regard to the respective interests and rights of others.
5.1.2 In exceptional circumstances, service users interests may be outweighed by the interests of others and if so, they will be made aware of this.
5.1.3 Social workers will safeguard the rights of service users when another person is acting for them
5.1.4 promote policies and practices that uphold human rights
5.1.6 referrals to competent and reputable providers
5.2 Service user self-determination
5.2.3 ensure service users have access to necessary information for decision-making
5.2.5 identify and promote interests of service users receiving service involuntarily
5.3.1 ensure service users understand informed consent
5.3.3 When service user cannot consent obey relevant State or Territory legislation providing it for the service user
5.4 privacy and confidentiality
5.5.1 report only essential and relevant details, protect service users privacy
5.6.1 Social workers will terminate professional relationships when it no longer serves the service user
5.7 Maintaining professional boundaries
6.1.1 relate to colleagues with respect, integrity and courtesy
6.1.2 respectful collaborative relationships with colleagues from different ethnic, cultural, religious and other social locations
7.1.7 Social workers uphold ethical principles and responsibilities of Code even
if employers policies incompatible, conflicts must be resolved in line with this code
Potential conflicts between social work ethics, values and duties. social work duty includes providing information on VAD but social work ethics (5.1.1, 5.2.3, 5.3.1) mean needing to be aware of his distress possibly impacting on consent and giving supports if this is a problem.
social work ethics (4.3, 4.5, 5.1.1, 5.2, 5.2.3, 5.5.1, 7.1.7) in conflict with hospital informal policy about VAD because the client might not know about the policy.
personal and professional value of prioritising the service user's self-determination in conflict with Susan's wish to control Nathan's choices
The ethical dilemma to be considered. ethical dilemma: do you provide Nathan with the information he has asked for on VAD, knowing the hospital and his wife are against it, and he could be asking because he fears ending up like his dad.
People and/or groups and/or organisations likely to be affected. Microsystem
Nathan, Susan, Olivia, Rosie, are affected by marital tension, and grief
The possibilities of the social worker potentially losing their job.
The hospital staff and the management, religious beliefs on VAD
Extended family, relative, colleagues, local community, will be affected emotionally.
Macrosystem
Catholic Religion- culturally appropriate grief
The Australian Government
Exosystem
The Dying with Dignity Victoria, who pushed to get VAD into law.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal(VCAT)
Potential viable courses of action: To work with Nathan and give him the information he asks for
To work and provide Nathan the information he needs
To follow the informal policy of the hospital and discourage the conversation
To work with Nathan and give him the information on VAD but also information on palliative care and the VAD time limit
List the information sources you used to develop this plan. https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/hospitals-and-health-services/patient-care/end-of-life-care/voluntary-assisted-dying/community-consumer-information/voluntary-assisted-dying-process/process-to-followhttps://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/palliative-care-in-a-hospital-or-community-residential-homehttps://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/Providing-end-of-life-and-palliative-care-for-someone-at-homehttps://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/1201http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/num_act/vada201761o2017348/http://classic.austlii.edu.au//au/legis/vic/consol_act/mha2014128/http://classic.austlii.edu.au//au/legis/vic/consol_act/gaaa2019304/http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/mtpada2016351/http://classic.austlii.edu.au//au/legis/vic/consol_act/hsa1988161/http://classic.austlii.edu.au//au/legis/vic/consol_act/padpa2014271/https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7BF89F948E-5FBB-4100-BC9E-D2CE58614410%7Dhttps://www.dwdv.org.au/http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/cohrara2006433/https://www.oup.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/167109/HARMS_9780190323493_SC.pdfHarms, L. (2010). Understanding human development: A multidimensional approach (2nd ed). Oxford University Press.`
voluntary assisted dying act - this is the law that says if he is allowed to access it, and makes it legal for him to have VAD
medical treatment planning and decisions act - advanced care planning and who makes medical decisions once cancer has progress so far he cant
mental health act - capacity to give informed consent
guardianship and administration act - gives power to make decisions to his next of kin or whoever he chooses and decision maker
health services act - says what policies apply in the hospital
privacy and data protection act - means you cant tell his wife about this without his consent
Assessment 3 Case scenario analysis ( Part B 40%)
Due date:
Part B due Monday June 14th at 9am.
Relevant subject ILOs: 1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment format:
Part B: A 1750-word case scenario analysis report submitted via LMS/turnitin that explores the issues in the case study and demonstrates an understanding and application of an ethical decision-making framework. (40%).
Task:
Students will select one case scenario from the options provided on LMS. This case scenario will be used for both Part A and Part B.
Part B: Students will write a 1750-word case study analysis report (suggested template is on LMS) that addresses the criteria below and demonstrates satisfactory attainment of subject intended learning outcomes
Assessment rationale:
The assessment requires students to draw from and synthesise knowledge of human rights, law, and ethics as developed throughout the subject. Use of an ethical decision-making framework enables students to demonstrate their capacity for reflection, analysis and reasoned decision making in response to a complex case scenario.
Detailed instructions:
Part B: Expanding on the information for Part A and drawing on feedback from Part A, students will use Reamers (2013) decision-making framework to thoroughly analyse the case scenario and identify a preferred/recommended course of action for the social worker involved. Thorough use of the framework will demonstrate suitable understanding and synthesis of subject content and appropriate capacity for ethical decision-making.
Students will be provided with a recommended format/structure for the 1750-word paper
Assessment criteria/marking:
Part B:
Ability to thoroughly apply Reamers framework to a case scenario, including clear identification of ethical issues, effected parties and viable courses of action (10 marks)
Ability to incorporate accurate and thorough understanding of relevant legal and human rights issues into ethical decision-making (15 marks)
Ability to identify a clear and reasonable decision following thorough consideration of other potential courses of action (10 marks)
Ability to provide the above in an appropriately structured paper, demonstrating sound academic writing skills and accurate referencing (APA 6) (5 marks)
