SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTHCARE IN UKRAINE: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

In international experience, social work has long been part of integrated healthcare provided in healthcare institutions. This article aims to reflect on the realities of social work in Ukrainian healthcare, analyze existing challenges, and develop recommendations for adapting global experience to Ukrainian conditions. The research methodology relies on a critical research paradigm, reflecting authorial insights on how social work in healthcare should integrate into the Ukrainian healthcare system. It is found that social work in Ukrainian healthcare currently faces numerous challenges, including insufficient legal framework for its development, shortage of qualified personnel, uneven access to social services across different regions of the country, and a lack of integrated approaches in medical institutions. Based on the analysis conducted, a series of recommendations have been developed for further development of social work in Ukraine, including strengthening the legal framework, implementing standards and protocols for clinical social work, developing training programs and enhancing qualifications of social workers, and creating conditions for integrating social services into general medical practice. The scientific novelty of the work lies in a deeper understanding of the specificity of the Ukrainian context and its impact on the implementation of integrated social services in healthcare. The conclusions of the article emphasize the necessity of a comprehensive approach to integrating social work into Ukrainian healthcare institutions, which includes legal support, workforce training, integration into medical practice, and raising public awareness. This will contribute to ensuring quality access to medical services and support for all patients in the Ukrainian healthcare system.