A view of social work advocacy in hospitals in eastern Ontario

A study on the social work advocacy role was conducted with front-line work ers and directors in 19 hospitals in eastern Ontario. The objectives were t o learn about the views and experiences of practitioners and to raise aware ness of the relevance of the social work advocacy role in hospitals. Result s provide information on the amount of time front-line workers spent on adv ocacy, the degree of satisfaction of workers and directors with the amount of advocacy done, the amount and nature of volunteer advocacy, factors whic h made advocacy difficult, factors which were supportive, and factors which would improve the advocacy role. Results are reviewed with reference to on going changes in the hospital and community sectors. Ways in which professi onal bodies could support the advocacy role of front-line workers in hospit als are proposed.