Chronic disease and mental health in a primary health care setting

Abstract

This practicum report summarizes my experiences as a Master of Social Work (MSW) student in my field practicum placement at the North Primary Health Care Network. Primary Health Care is an integrated and coordinated health service that is client focused, community designed, and team delivered. During the practicum placement, I increased my understanding of the services offered at the North Primary Health Care Network. I also gained an understanding and knowledge in the areas of chronic disease, public health, home care, and primary health care counselling. This report will discuss my involvement in the care pathways and the knowledge I gained from the clients, health care providers, managers, directors, and family physicians. I will discuss the strengths-based perspective and the intervention models, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) that are utilized in primary health care. Lastly, I will discuss the values and ethics of social work in a primary health care setting.