Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108879

Yehudit Bareket, Department of health systems, Ben-Gurion University, Ben-Gurion University, Shederot Hanesim, Beer Sheva, Israel, Israel, 972-8-6477421, barekety@bgumail.bgu.ac.il and Shifra Shvarts, Pro, Ben Gurion University, Health Systems Management, Faculty for Health Sciences, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel.

Background: The research analyzed social work services in Health Funds in Israel prior to and following legislation of a compulsory health insurance law in 1994. The law viewed social work and social services accompanying public medical services, as a secondary service. This perspective is in conflict with current views of social work as an integral part of holistic medical care. Methodolgy: The research hypothesis was that the law and the basket of services it mandates was a turning point in definition of social work within health services, and the stature of social work as a profession. The study was qualitative, based on in-depth interviews, observation and a review of the literature and legislation designed to examine existing models of providing social services in Israeli health funds. Findings: Findings show that until 1994, four models of social-health services operated, each formulated according to the character and policies of the fund. Only three HMOs integrated social services within their operation; in the fourth, members were referred to public and private welfare services outside the health fund. Conclusions: Since 1994 when all the funds were mandated to provide social services, social work has been structured as an integral part of all four service-provider operation. While goals were identical, the health funds were found to differ in setup, structure and deployment methods.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the integration process of social work into public health services in Israel.
• To become familiar with the health insurance system in Israel prior to and following legislation of the national health insurance law.

Keywords: Social Work, Social Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation