Advocates call for stronger regulations for hospital social work in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Hospital social work in the Dominican Republic is facing a precarious situation due to the absence of clear regulations governing its practice, according to social worker Jerson Mateo Taveras. He made this statement during a conference titled “Practices of Social Work in the Health Sector: A Critical Analysis of the Professional Work of Social Workers in Three Hospitals of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, 2020.”

The event, held as part of the academic program of the Social Work Department of the School of Sociology at the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences of UASD, brought together professionals in the field, university professors, and students interested in understanding the current challenges facing social work professionals in healthcare.

During his presentation, Mateo Taveras shared the findings of a qualitative research study conducted in three hospitals in the capital city. The research revealed a concerning lack of specific regulations for the work of social work personnel within these healthcare facilities.

According to the speaker, this absence of clear guidelines has led to a devaluation of the professional role, inconsistent practices across different institutions, and a weak integration of social workers into medical care teams. “The lack of clear rules has turned hospital social work into a vulnerable function, with limited institutional support and low visibility compared to other components of the health system,” he stated.

Among the most significant findings were substantial differences in the tasks assigned to social workers in each hospital, indicating a lack of standardized criteria. In some centers, their involvement is limited to administrative duties, while in others, they perform clinical functions without a defined structure to guide their intervention.

The conference also featured a set of strategic recommendations aimed at addressing this situation. These included the development of specific regulations that define the competencies and functions of social work in healthcare, the implementation of continuous training programs, and the promotion of an effective integration of social work into multidisciplinary teams.

The final segment of the event was dedicated to an open dialogue with the audience, focusing on the necessity of clear regulations that recognize and support the practice of social work in Dominican hospitals. Participants reaffirmed the urgency for health sector authorities and professional associations to make concrete commitments to strengthen this crucial pillar within public hospitals.

With a critical and proactive approach, Jerson Mateo Taveras’s presentation initiated a debate about the institutional position of social work within the public health network and highlighted pending challenges for truly comprehensive care that focuses not only on illness but also on the social determinants of health (SDOH).