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Kuratorers professionella roll inom somatisk sjukhusvård - Med fokus på organisatorisk placering

Mekuli, Edita LU and Persson, Catarina LU (2026) SAHS05 20261
School of Social Work
Abstract
This study aims to explore how the professional role and scope of practice of healthcare social workers are shaped within a medically dominated healthcare context. Using a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews, the study examines social workers’ experiences of organizational conditions, interprofessional collaboration, and professional identity. The analysis combines Andrew Abbott’s theory of jurisdiction with Thomas Brante’s perspective on professional knowledge bases, enabling an understanding of the profession both as a matter of control over tasks and as a question of the legitimacy of knowledge. Dellgran contributes by emphasizing the institutional processes through which professions evolve. The results show that... (More)
This study aims to explore how the professional role and scope of practice of healthcare social workers are shaped within a medically dominated healthcare context. Using a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews, the study examines social workers’ experiences of organizational conditions, interprofessional collaboration, and professional identity. The analysis combines Andrew Abbott’s theory of jurisdiction with Thomas Brante’s perspective on professional knowledge bases, enabling an understanding of the profession both as a matter of control over tasks and as a question of the legitimacy of knowledge. Dellgran contributes by emphasizing the institutional processes through which professions evolve. The results show that healthcare social workers’ professional position is characterized by continuous boundary work, where psychosocial knowledge must be legitimized in relation to medical logic. Organizational placement and the degree of integration within healthcare teams are crucial for professional autonomy. The study highlights how professional identity is shaped through the interplay of structural and cultural factors, and how social workers, through strategies of visibility and collaboration, strengthen their position within healthcare organizations. Overall, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how social work in healthcare can evolve toward greater legitimacy, collaboration, and sustainability in future healthcare systems. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Mekuli, Edita LU and Persson, Catarina LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
The Professional Role of Healthcare Social Workers in Somatic Hospital Care – With a Focus on Organizational Placement
course
SAHS05 20261
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
healthcare, social worker, professional identity, jurisdiction, knowlwdge legitimacy, organizational conditions, interprofessional collaboration
language
Other
id
9249554
date added to LUP
2026-09-03 09:40:30
date last changed
2026-09-03 09:40:30
@misc{9249554,
  abstract     = {{This study aims to explore how the professional role and scope of practice of healthcare social workers are shaped within a medically dominated healthcare context. Using a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews, the study examines social workers’ experiences of organizational conditions, interprofessional collaboration, and professional identity. The analysis combines Andrew Abbott’s theory of jurisdiction with Thomas Brante’s perspective on professional knowledge bases, enabling an understanding of the profession both as a matter of control over tasks and as a question of the legitimacy of knowledge. Dellgran contributes by emphasizing the institutional processes through which professions evolve. The results show that healthcare social workers’ professional position is characterized by continuous boundary work, where psychosocial knowledge must be legitimized in relation to medical logic. Organizational placement and the degree of integration within healthcare teams are crucial for professional autonomy. The study highlights how professional identity is shaped through the interplay of structural and cultural factors, and how social workers, through strategies of visibility and collaboration, strengthen their position within healthcare organizations. Overall, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how social work in healthcare can evolve toward greater legitimacy, collaboration, and sustainability in future healthcare systems.}},
  author       = {{Mekuli, Edita and Persson, Catarina}},
  language     = {{mis}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Kuratorers professionella roll inom somatisk sjukhusvård - Med fokus på organisatorisk placering}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}