The cost of caring for patients with an illness: Contagion to the social worker

This article will examine the effects of hospital work on social workers. It will highlight the events of a focus group that was used to gather data in an attempt to begin to understand the stressors faced by the worker. The Self-Constructivist Model (McCann & Pearlman, 1990b) is utilized in relation to trauma experienced by the social worker, while working with patients diagnosed with an acute, chronic or life-threatening illness. Findings are summarized and recommendations are made to assist hospital social workers in coping with the aftermath of secondary trauma. (C) 2001 by The, Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.