The Occupational Wellness Concerns and Self-Care Strategies of Filipino Medical Social Workers During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Patricia Marie Imperial College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Veronique Ann Claire Abes College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines
  • Michael John Ronquillo College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines
  • Mari Allana Corazon Vilegas College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i2.44

Keywords:

Medical social work, occupational wellness concerns, professional self-care, COVID-19, Philippines

Abstract

Given the intense demands imposed on medical social workers (MSWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are vulnerable to developing occupational wellness concerns (OWCs): physical, social, emotional, mental, or spiritual issues caused by work-related factors. OWCs adversely affect the occupational wellness of the worker and the quality of service given to clients. One approach to reduce OWCs is professional self-care. This study explored the experiences of Filipino MSWs during the pandemic, the OWCs experienced, their self-care strategies, and their impact on professional practice. Face-to-face, Zoom, and email interviews were conducted with 10 MSWs who were part of the skeletal workforce of four (4) hospitals in Metro Manila. The findings showed that OWCs were caused by their commitment to professional duty, intense workload, and health and safety risks. This resulted in conflict with coworkers, desire to quit work, undesirable work attitudes, unhealthy habits, and disruption in the quality of service provision. Meanwhile, professional self-care led to enhanced work performance, improved relations with coworkers and clients, enhanced cognitive ability, increased self-awareness, and acted as a first aid response to combat OWCs. Insights on hospital limitations, supportive mechanisms, social work as an undervalued versus satisfying profession, motivation, and professionalism during the pandemic were also documented.

Author Biographies

Patricia Marie Imperial, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman

Alumni, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. Philippines.Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Research interests include children’s issues, mental health, and social work education. Internship experiences include foster care, and faith-based community organizing. Email: primperial@up.edu.ph / imperialpatriciamarie@gmail.com

Veronique Ann Claire Abes, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines

Student, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. Philippines. Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Research interests include child and youth welfare, mental health, and working with persons with disabilities. Internship experience in casework and group work include foster care, and family and community outreach. Email: vaabes@up.edu.ph / veroniqueaca@gmail.com

Michael John Ronquillo, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines

Alumni, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. Philippines. Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Research interests include child protection, mental health, LGBTQIA+ and sustainable agriculture. Internship experience include case work with Children in Special Needs and Protection and landholding-based community organizing. Email: msronquillo@up.edu.ph / michaelsr1121@gmail.com

Mari Allana Corazon Vilegas, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines

Student, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. Philippines.Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Research interests include gender studies, women and children’s rights, mental health, and medical social work. Internship experiences include mental health care services and medical social work case management. Email: mgvillegas2@up.edu.ph / villegas.allana@gmail.com

 

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Published

2023-12-29

How to Cite

Imperial, P. M., Abes, V. A. C. ., Ronquillo, M. J. ., & Vilegas, M. A. C. . (2023). The Occupational Wellness Concerns and Self-Care Strategies of Filipino Medical Social Workers During The COVID-19 Pandemic. Asean Social Work Journal, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i2.44

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