Niche Development : One Aspect of Discharge Planning by Social Workers in University Hospitals

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore one aspect of discharge planning by social workers in university hospitals using a Grounded Theory Approach. This study is part of a larger qualitative research project on discovering the entire picture of discharge planning by social workers in university hospitals and focuses on social workers' activities related to university hospitals, but beyond the frame of the direct practice. The data are derived from semi-structured interviews with nine expert social workers of three university hospitals and are analyzed through Grounded Theory Approach. The study discovers "Niche Development" with four strategies and three processes as a core category. It shows that social workers at university hospitals are engaged in Niche Development in order to perform better discharge planning for the life renewal of each patient and family. The study also summarizes the theory and practice implications of developing social work theory and concepts, and of improving social workers' discharge planning.