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Illness and disability are often accompanied by psychological and social problems. Some patients will require psychological support and assistance to help them cope with their medical conditions and related psychosocial problems. The Department of Medical Social Services at Changi General Hospital, Singapore helps patients to access appropriate resources in the community to help them overcome practical problems such as finances, employment, and home care needs. |
| Services for Patients and Their Families: |
- Crisis intervention for patients who have been assaulted by their spouses or family members, or who have attempted suicide.
- Psychosocial assessment to evaluate:
- individual relationships and social support network
- coping mechanisms and degree of distress
- understanding of the illness / injury and treatment
- capacity to adapt to change
- socioeconomic situation
- Referral to and liaison with rehabilitation facilities and community support services.
- Discharge planning and problem solving which may include assistance regarding finances, housing, placement in nursing homes and special equipment needs as well as providing family mediation and advocacy on behalf of patients and their families. For information on community resources, visit http://www.caregivers.org.sg/
- Coordination of post-hospital care plans to reintegrate the patient into his family and community.
- Follow-up to ensure psychosocial adjustment after an illness or hospitalisation.
- Counselling, e.g. for patients suffering from cancer, permanent disability, loss and interpersonal relationship problems.
- Support group meetings for patients, such as the elderly and breast cancer patients.
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| Aged Care Transition Team (ACTION) |
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The Department of Medical Social Services has an Aged Care Transition Team (ACTION) that comprises care coordinators with either nursing or social work training. They will assess, plan, educate on, coordinate, monitor and evaluate options and services required by patients with complex needs in the hospital. They help to improve patients’ transitions from hospital to home by providing them and their families the tools and support required to promote independence and self-management of their medical conditions. |
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Training & Consultancy |
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The department also provides training for social work undergraduates and practitioners, consultancy services to welfare homes, community services by sitting in management committees of various social service organisations and pioneering services such as hospital based community case management.
For any assistance, please call us at 6850 2880 or e-mail: mss@cgh.com.sg |
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