KNUST elevates patient care with specialised hospital social work training

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has launched a new initiative. This initiative aims to improve hospital-based social work in Ghana. They organized a short course on Hospital Social Work.

The three-day training was funded by the KNUST Research Fund (KReF). The KNUST Hospital Social Work Team led the effort. They collaborated with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Centre for Capacity Building and Innovation. The course brought together social workers from across Ghana to fill knowledge gaps.

Dr. John Boulard Forkuo, the project lead, noted a key issue. There are no defined role descriptions for hospital social workers in Ghana. He said, “Many people in hospitals lack a role description.”

Professor Kwadwo Ofori-Dua, the project co-lead, stressed social work's importance in healthcare. He stated, “Human beings are social beings.” He explained that diseases can create social issues, which social workers address.

Dr. Joseph Abu Sakyi, Deputy Medical Director at University Health Services, called the course “timely and important.” He highlighted its relevance for improving healthcare quality. He mentioned that service quality involves responsiveness and empathy.

He urged participants to see social workers as more than financial aid providers. Their role includes delivering reliable and proactive care.

The training covered various topics like ethical responsibilities and patient discharge planning. It also included aftercare services to help patients reintegrate into society.

Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi spoke on behalf of Professor Charles Marfo from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He praised the course as a breakthrough in collaboration among professionals. “It’s groundbreaking to see social science actors working with health professionals,” he remarked.

He encouraged participants to be change agents by sharing their knowledge across disciplines.

Ms. Linda Nana Esi Aduku represented Professor Philip Antwi-Agyei from the Office of Grants and Research. She reaffirmed their commitment to building national capacity through education. She suggested scaling the course via e-learning for wider participation.

A major focus of the training was psychosocial counseling and teamwork in patient care. Participants left with new knowledge and a vision for enhancing social work in Ghana’s healthcare system.