Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

What should the social worker do when a client feels misunderstood by his doctors?

1. Tell the doctor about the client's complaint.

2. Acknowledge that this is a common problem.

3. Explore the client's feelings and help him discuss them directly with the doctor.

4. Discuss the feeling immediately with the doctor.

The correct answer is: Explore the client's feelings and help him discuss them directly with the doctor.

When a client feels misunderstood by their doctors, exploring the client's feelings and helping them to articulate these concerns directly with the doctor empowers the client and ensures that their voice is heard. This approach fosters open communication, which is essential for effective healthcare delivery. By assisting the client in discussing their feelings, the social worker can facilitate a constructive dialogue that may resolve misunderstandings and improve the therapeutic relationship between the client and the healthcare provider. This method not only addresses the immediate concern but also builds the client’s confidence in advocating for their own medical needs. It allows the client to express what they feel is lacking in their interactions with the healthcare professionals, thus enhancing their engagement in their own care process. Moreover, this collaborative strategy may lead to better health outcomes and satisfaction as the client feels validated and supported. In contrast, simply informing the doctor about the client's complaint may seem helpful, but it does not involve the client in the solution and could further alienate them. Acknowledging it as a common problem may validate the client's feelings but does not provide actionable steps to address the issue. Discussing the feeling immediately with the doctor without the client’s involvement may lead to miscommunication and fails to respect the client's autonomy and participation in their care.