Kurator inom hälsa- och sjukvården - en självklarhet? En studie om professionella inhägnader och professionell identitet

Sammanfattning: Abstract Authors: Arnela Ibrakovic and Jenny Geffen Title: Medical social worker – a certainty? A study of professional fencing and identity The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine and illuminate how medical social workers perceive their professional role, identity and challenges in the hospital organization. The study furthermore explores the importance of group solidarity for both the individual medical social worker as well as the profession, and how this affects the possibilities and position in the organization. Our empirical research is based on 4 interviews with medical social workers and a focus group interview consisting of 3 medical social workers. The research was analyzed through a professional theoretical perspective and Weber’s theory of social closure. Results of the study show that the social workers experience of their professional role and identity is linked to the position in the clinic rather than the affinity to a comprehensive social worker group. Furthermore job assignments and the individual experiences of their occupations differ between clinics, which show the importance of effective strategies to work their way into the organization. Our conclusion is that the more established a counselor is, the safer position he or she gets in the organization. Due to the fact that counselors don’t have a license their professional status and position in the organization is weakened which makes them a vulnerable group in times of economical savings. Despite of this the social workers view their future in health care with optimism.