Social Service Effects
Richard Cabot’s modification in medical treatment and training established the foundation for the field of social work that is currently practiced, medical social work. He turned his back on social prejudices and worked diligently to care for the poor and helpless; those who could not afford inpatient hospitalization at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was one of the first practitioners to recognize that socioeconomic and psychological factors had to be viewed in handling patients. This non-judgmental methodology penetrates the field of social work still to this day. In his novel Social Service And The Art Of Healing, he stated “If we are to truly treat the patient, and not merely smother one of his symptoms under a dose of medicine, we must push on into the background of his case, and see what disease in the body politic-perhaps in the body of industry is behind his individual suffering.” He moves on to explain how the hospital will pay to treat a baby but that unless the mother is taught how to care properly for it the same costs will be born again and again. In 1905, spending money out of his pocket, Richard Cabot hired the first social worker, Ida Cannon, to go into the homes of their patients. Assessing environmental and educational factors that influenced the health of his patients confirmed to have much greater outcomes. Root causes of the patient's problems were addressed rather than just treating the symptoms. This process of therapy led to healthier patients and safer neighborhoods and was more cost effective than past practices.
Within a decade, Richard Cabot had formed a fledgling social work program; he funded himself, into a full department with fifteen staff that were paid by the hospital. This department displayed a guide for hospitals across the country. Richard Cabot taught widely and took his ideas to various hospitals in the United States, which assisted with the implementation of regulated training for social workers. As stated on the Massachusetts General Hospital website:
“Dr. Cabot and Ms. Cannon successfully collaborated at Mass General for 40 years. They created a department that combined sound clinical practice with political action and community service. Dr. Cabot and Ms. Cannon traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, lecturing on their seminal work. They were both instrumental in the establishment of several national health-care and social service organizations.”
In addition, Richard Cabot supported managing case files and treatment plans for each patient stressing the use of the scientific method. He would later catch up with the patients years after their first treatment to decide which methods were the most effective He further innovated the practice of physicians making rounds to see several of their patients. This help limits mistakes in individual outpatient care; it also leads to the review and use of best works in many fields of personal assistance today. The effect of his work not solely improved the proper care of patients but also protected the public at large.
Richard Cabot’s belief in healing patients with respect despite their background, financial or political status; the most significant contributions to the field of social work and humanity. He advocated on the theory that even the least of us are deserving of fair access to the laws of freedom that were often not shared with the helpless populations of his era and ours today. An example, the issues that Richard Cabot and his team acted on, their job list that shows the social problems that were common at that moment and the greater number of these still strike many people today.
Richard Cabot’s modification in medical treatment and training established the foundation for the field of social work that is currently practiced, medical social work. He turned his back on social prejudices and worked diligently to care for the poor and helpless; those who could not afford inpatient hospitalization at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was one of the first practitioners to recognize that socioeconomic and psychological factors had to be viewed in handling patients. This non-judgmental methodology penetrates the field of social work still to this day. In his novel Social Service And The Art Of Healing, he stated “If we are to truly treat the patient, and not merely smother one of his symptoms under a dose of medicine, we must push on into the background of his case, and see what disease in the body politic-perhaps in the body of industry is behind his individual suffering.” He moves on to explain how the hospital will pay to treat a baby but that unless the mother is taught how to care properly for it the same costs will be born again and again. In 1905, spending money out of his pocket, Richard Cabot hired the first social worker, Ida Cannon, to go into the homes of their patients. Assessing environmental and educational factors that influenced the health of his patients confirmed to have much greater outcomes. Root causes of the patient's problems were addressed rather than just treating the symptoms. This process of therapy led to healthier patients and safer neighborhoods and was more cost effective than past practices.
Within a decade, Richard Cabot had formed a fledgling social work program; he funded himself, into a full department with fifteen staff that were paid by the hospital. This department displayed a guide for hospitals across the country. Richard Cabot taught widely and took his ideas to various hospitals in the United States, which assisted with the implementation of regulated training for social workers. As stated on the Massachusetts General Hospital website:
“Dr. Cabot and Ms. Cannon successfully collaborated at Mass General for 40 years. They created a department that combined sound clinical practice with political action and community service. Dr. Cabot and Ms. Cannon traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, lecturing on their seminal work. They were both instrumental in the establishment of several national health-care and social service organizations.”
In addition, Richard Cabot supported managing case files and treatment plans for each patient stressing the use of the scientific method. He would later catch up with the patients years after their first treatment to decide which methods were the most effective He further innovated the practice of physicians making rounds to see several of their patients. This help limits mistakes in individual outpatient care; it also leads to the review and use of best works in many fields of personal assistance today. The effect of his work not solely improved the proper care of patients but also protected the public at large.
Richard Cabot’s belief in healing patients with respect despite their background, financial or political status; the most significant contributions to the field of social work and humanity. He advocated on the theory that even the least of us are deserving of fair access to the laws of freedom that were often not shared with the helpless populations of his era and ours today. An example, the issues that Richard Cabot and his team acted on, their job list that shows the social problems that were common at that moment and the greater number of these still strike many people today.