Hospital Social Workers’ Response to SARS in Singapore, 2003 - Lessons Learned from Practice
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was an unprecedented global health emergency in late 2002-mid 2003, whose impacts were greatly facilitated by the globalization phenomenon. It is a new infectious disease that originated in China in late 2002, spreading to parts of Asia as well as other countries. 10-15% of patients who contracted SARS, died. The impact of SARS extends beyond the health domain, with significant economic, ethical, legal and social implications. Clearly it is a form of disaster for the individuals, families, communities and nations affected (infected) and it called for an immediate emergency response that tested all key authorities as well as international collaborations. For social work, SARS posed major challenges and severely disrupted work practices and routines, as well as every aspect of daily life for the workers as members of those communities impacted.
This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring the impact of SARS on social work practice in hospital settings in Singapore. The purpose of the study was to extend social work practice knowledge through rigorous study of the impacts of SARS. Social workers in the major hospitals responded in varying ways, including direct work with patients and families, staff support, organisational intervention and community and public health strategies.
This study, building on supervised student research, entailed in-depth interviews with a cross section of Singapore hospital social workers. The data were transcribed and analysed with the assistance of Nvivo. The paper describes the spectrum of social workers’ interventions, theoretical underpinnings, and adjustments to practice, both conscious and unconscious. Participants’ reflections on their practice and coping mechanisms are also reported. The findings are then discussed in the context of literature on trauma/disaster management with recommendations for social work practice and education in future SARS-like situations.