The evolving role of Ghanaian hospital social workers: Role learning, recognition, and challenges to transitional care

Abstract Hospital social workers in Ghana complement the work of other health professionals in addressing patients’ needs. However, their contributions are constrained by systemic challenges, including unclear role definitions, limited recognition, and insufficient resources. This exploratory qualitative study explores the experiences of hospital social workers across various Ghanaian hospitals. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with eleven social workers, supplemented by field observations. The data were analysed thematically and discussed within the framework of Evetts’ conceptualizations of professions. Findings reveal that hospital social workers learn their role through informal transfer of knowledge from experienced colleagues. This affects the work of social workers, the resources made available for post-discharge interventions, as well as the appreciation of other healthcare workers regarding the exact relevance and role of social workers in the hospital. Nonetheless, the results indicate that hospital social workers rely on broader social work principles, a demonstration of occupational professionalism, in facilitating the well-being of patients within Ghanaian hospitals. This study argues that the demonstration of occupational professionalism by the social workers in this study serves as a potential platform for the evolution of a more structured and institutionalized approach to hospital social work practice in Ghana.