Values In Health And Social Care

Is evidence-based practice really best practice? This is a hotly debated question in health and social care circles and the starting point for this book. Engaging firmly in the debate, Values-Based Health & Social Care calls into question the dominance of evidence-based practice and sets out an alternative vision of care which places holism, professional judgement, intuition and client choice at its centre. Bringing together writers from a range of health and social care backgrounds, the book describes the rise of evidence-based practice and explores major criticisms of the approach. It argues that evidence should be seen as part of a broader vision of practice which places equal value on: - a holistic vision of the needs of patients and clients. - professional knowledge and intuition, and - seeing patients and clients as partners in their care. Examples are used throughout the book to help readers link the concepts to practice. The book concludes with suggestions on how to develop a values-based approach in practice and through professional education. Values-Based Health & Social Care sets out key debates surrounding the nature of practice which will be of interest to students and practitioners alike.

Foreword Introduction 1. Rights, Equality and Anti-discriminatory Practice 2. Respect and Dignity 3. Autonomy 4. Trust, Confidentiality and Truth-telling 5. Protection from Harm and Promoting Independence 6. Values, Accountability and Responsibility 7. Conclusion – Value-based Reflection References Index

While ethics has been addressed in the health care literature, relatively little attention has been paid to the subject in the field of social care. This book redresses the balance by examining theory, research, policy and practice in both fields. The analysis is set within the context of contemporary challenges facing health and social care, not only in Britain but internationally. Contributors from the UK, US and Australia consider ethical issues in health and social care research and governance; interprofessional and user perspectives; ethics in relation to human rights, the law, finance, management and provision; key issues of relevance to vulnerable groups such as children and young people, those with complex disabilities, older people and those with mental health problems and lifecourse issues - ethical perspectives on a range of challenging areas from new technologies of reproduction to euthanasia. This book is intended for academics, students and researchers in health and social care who need an up-to-date analysis of contemporary issues and debates. It will also be useful to practitioners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, including social workers, community workers, those working in the fields of disability and mental health and with older people.

Rich in case studies, practical activities and downloadable resources, this is a beginner's guide to how values are formed and developed in varying professional contexts across health and social care services. It invites the reader to reflect on their own values, and on how these define the quality of the care they deliver.

Integrating Social Care into the Delivery of Health Care: Moving Upstream to Improve the Nation's Health was released in September 2019, before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020. Improving social conditions remains critical to improving health outcomes, and integrating social care into health care delivery is more relevant than ever in the context of the pandemic and increased strains placed on the U.S. health care system. The report and its related products ultimately aim to help improve health and health equity, during COVID-19 and beyond. The consistent and compelling evidence on how social determinants shape health has led to a growing recognition throughout the health care sector that improving health and health equity is likely to depend â€" at least in part â€" on mitigating adverse social determinants. This recognition has been bolstered by a shift in the health care sector towards value-based payment, which incentivizes improved health outcomes for persons and populations rather than service delivery alone. The combined result of these changes has been a growing emphasis on health care systems addressing patients' social risk factors and social needs with the aim of improving health outcomes. This may involve health care systems linking individual patients with government and community social services, but important questions need to be answered about when and how health care systems should integrate social care into their practices and what kinds of infrastructure are required to facilitate such activities. Integrating Social Care into the Delivery of Health Care: Moving Upstream to Improve the Nation's Health examines the potential for integrating services addressing social needs and the social determinants of health into the delivery of health care to achieve better health outcomes. This report assesses approaches to social care integration currently being taken by health care providers and systems, and new or emerging approaches and opportunities; current roles in such integration by different disciplines and organizations, and new or emerging roles and types of providers; and current and emerging efforts to design health care systems to improve the nation's health and reduce health inequities.

This innovative workbook enables students and those working in health and social care to deepen their understanding of the values that underpin their practice. Rich in practical exercises and downloadable resources that invite the reader to engage with their own values, it explores how values, though not often reflected on, define the quality of care delivered. Supported by case studies and including a glossary of key terms and concepts, the workbook provides an overview of how values are adopted and adapted in professional contexts across health and social care services. With an emphasis on the ever-evolving nature of values, it examines professional ethics through the lens of legislation, codes of conduct, cost-effectiveness and whole-organisation management. This unique resource allows readers to gain a clearer picture of what their values are and how they can realistically implement them in their work, thus achieving the highest possible quality of care delivery.

The book, illustrated with case examples, identifies and makes explicit the often diverse values of those involved in healthcare commissioning, whether as commissioners, providers or users of services. It provides a skills base and other support processes for working with differences in values held by those engaged in making decisions.

Discusses values from the perspective of different health care professionals and why teams and collaborations may succeed or fail.