Guide to the literature

It will be evident from the preceding chapters that the nature of medical social work specialisation derives from its concern with the problems of the sick and the disabled, and from the need for a partnership with other professions, particularly medicine, engaged in the treatment and care of this group. In order to understand medical social work, it is necessary to give attention to: the psychology and sociology of illness; the characteristics of the various health institutions, including the different professions involved in the provision of medical care; and the many issues inherent in establishing medical social work practice appropriate both to the needs of the consumers and the resources available within the profession. Before some of the literature on these various topics is reviewed a few of the main textbooks on social work in general should be referred to, in order that the specialism of medical social work can be seen in its proper context.