Social work in healthcare facilities

Currently, social work is now seen as a practical activity, which is aimed to solve or alterate problems of individual, group or community. In these solutions, there are social workers involved through realization of social services. In our conditions, however, social work is perceived as an activity that focuses on obtaining information about the causes of social need and the needs of social assistance. Various forms of social care are provided through practical social work, but the focus is also on scientific knowledges, which are addressing different social situations with different options; the form of the organization and provision of social services as well as adequate training of future social workers is also contained here. Theoretical and p r a c t i c a l a s p e c t s o f s o c i a l w o r k s h o u l d b e complementary and engaged and its main objectives should be improvement the conditions and quality of life of individuals, groups, communities and society (Levicka, 2004). Social work as a separate scientific discipline is currently characterized by multiple authors. Social work can be defined as professional activity, which provides social care on a professional level and with the assistance of special working methods (Striezenec 2001). It is also characterized as an activity that is interested in the optimal functioning of social institutions and focuses on the care of humans, to help individuals, families or groups (Matousek 2003).