The working experiences and perceptions of Chinese medical social workers in a children’s hospital

This study aimed to investigate the working experiences and perceptions of hospital-based, pediatric medical social workers in China. Eight medical social workers were interviewed. There were three primary themes extracted through the analysis: (1) negative experience and perceived work challenges of medical social workers; (2) positive experiences and sense of professional benefit for medical social workers; and (3) development needs of medical social work profession. While Chinese pediatric medical social workers have encountered several difficulties and challenges, they have also benefited from the work. Furthermore, they provided constructive recommendations for professional development at the hospital, social and national levels. Hoping this study can enrich the knowledge system of pediatric medical social work in China, promote the sustainable development of the nascent profession in China, and pave the way for the integration of pediatric medical social work practice in different socio-cultural contexts.