Legal rights protection on professional practice of psychiatric social workers

Abstract

This qualitative documentary research aimed to explore the forms and pattern of legal rights and protection of psychiatric social workers, in their professional practice, and related problems. Research results indicated that principle causes for legal rights and protection of psychiatric social workers in their professional practice were, 1) nature of professional practice required interpersonal relationships with various individuals and agencies, which covered various dimensions;  2) stress and pressure caused by their professional practice; 3) there were no specific law created to protect the legal rights of psychiatric social workers’ professional practice. Moreover, impacts from problems and obstacles on legal protection of their professional practice caused them to have less self-confident, reduced morale, and loss of motivation, among those who were educated in this field.  All these reasons reduced the number of work force in this profession.  Recommendations are, 1) Legislate specific law appropriately for legal rights and protection of psychiatric social workers;  2) Amendment of Social Work Professions Act, B.E. 2013, to be more appropriate, practical and relevant 3) Legislate a law, implementing necessary regulations, measures, or other standards of practice, concerning legal rights and protection of psychiatric social workers’ professional practice.