Resumen de Trabajo social en salud. Historia. Situación actual. Perspectivas.
A MODO DE PREFACIO "The constitution of the World Health Organization defines health in terms of physical, mental and social well-being (Lipkin y Kupka, 1982: v).
"As long as the unidimensional accounting of illness continues, both the care of patients and the formulation of policy will be too limited in scope to bring about the higher level of health for which humankind has reason to hope (Lipkin y Kupka, 1.1982: v)".
"Social work can be defined as the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or communities improve their social functioning and creating societal conditions favorable to this goal. It can be further described as consisting of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services: providing counseling and psycho-therapy to individuals, families and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; and participating in relevant policy making forms. (N.A.S.W. official definition prepared for "Congressional Record". 25 febrero de 1986. En Northen .1.988:3-4).
