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. I t will highlight the events of a focus group that was used to gather data i n an attempt to begin to understand the stressors faced by the worker. The Self-Constructivist Model (McCann & Pearlman, 1990b) is utilized in relatio n to trauma experienced by the social worker, while working with patients d iagnosed with an acute, chronic or life-threatening illness. Findings are s ummarized and recommendations are made to assist hospital social workers in coping with the aftermath of secondary trauma. (C) 2001 by The, Haworth Pr ess, Inc. All rights reserved.