term paper--social work practice in the health field

Relevant Practice Behaviors(s): “Demonstrate basic assessment skills of the client system(s) that incorporate the biological, psychosocial, spiritual, and environmental determinants of health in social work practice”; and “ Implement effective interventions that are based on an assessment of the needs, strengths and goals of the client system(s)”; Select a book to read that is written by or about someone who has been diagnosed with a serious physical illness or disability. The book topic must be approved by the instructor. Then write a scholarly paper that includes: 1) An introduction that indicates what the topic is and the purpose or goals of the paper. The purpose must be stated clearly as in “The purpose of this paper is to……” 2) Information about the illness or disability that includes: a. medical aspects (description, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, side effects of treatment, prognosis (anticipated course of the treated disease), etc. b. psychological aspects, c. social/economic aspects Information can be obtained from credible websites such as the National Cancer Institute, American Diabetes Association, National Stroke Association, ALS Association, etc.; however, do not just “cut and paste” from websites. Put the information learned into your own words that reflect your understanding of what you’ve read. 3) A review (analysis, assessment, evaluation, synthesis) of a minimum of five articles from the academic literature that describes evidence based psychosocial interventions by social work or other health care providers with patients, families or significant others who have experienced the same or similar illness or disability. These articles may be cited elsewhere in the paper or may be in addition to other references used. Include a description of how the literature search was conducted, e.g. data bases searched, inclusion/exclusion criteria for selecting articles, search words used, etc 4) A brief summary of the book selected to establish the context for the discussion of your analysis of the impact of illness and coping skills (see #s 4 and 5 below.) 5) An analysis of the impact of the illness on the person about whom the book is written and his/her family or significant others. Think of this person and his/her family or significant others as a case study. 6) An evaluation of coping skills used by the patient, family, and significant others (e.g. what coping skills were used and how effectively they were used); and 7) Implications for social work practice. 8) A summary and conclusion that tie into the introduction. The paper should be approximately 10-12 pages. References to the Internet can supplement the academic references. (Note: Wikipedia is not considered an academic reference.) Required readings or class notes or handouts from the course may be used for references in addition to the required references. The paper must be typed, double-spaced and written in APA style (See below).Points will be deducted if the APA format is not used properly. Writing and the APA Style Headings in the appropriate APA format should be used. Points will be deducted for failure to use headings appropriately. Evaluation of the paper will be based on content (60%), organization and clarity (20%), and presentation e.g. correct APA format, organization, clarity, use of correct grammar, sentence structure, spelling, etc. (20%). All ideas/information that are not your own must be cited in the text and also on the reference page. Information and guidelines for the use of APA style can be found on the school’s library homepage ([login to view URL]) click on “Writing and Citing” tab. Any student who needs assistance with writing is encouraged to seek services with the Undergraduate Writing Center (977-2930) or the Graduate Writing Center (977-3231). A tutorial for the basics of APA can be found at [login to view URL]