1 / 5100%
1
Group Typology
Racquel Walsh
Master of Social Work Walden University
SOCW 6121: Advanced Clinical Practice II
Dr. Mary Larscheid
December 26, 2021
2
The Cortez Family
43-year-old Columbian native Paula Cortez has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, HIV,
feet ulcers, Bipolar Disorder, and is also pregnant. Paula has received treatment from various
service providers such as a social worker, OBGYN medical professional, psychiatrist, as well as
a primary care physician. All of the services providers that are a part of Paula’s care team and
associated with Paula’s care have all come to a consensus and agreed that because of Paula’s
noncompliance with the agreed treatment and lack of support is causing her to decompensate
(Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). Assistance from a task group would be of great benefit to
Paula.
Behaviors
It is very important for Paula understands the consequences that her actions will have on
her health as well as the health of her unborn child. Paula being non-compliant with her
medication(s) is having a major impact on her health as well as the health of her unborn child.
Paula’s noncompliance can also put her unborn child at a higher risk of contracting HIV. Paula
staying in bed for days at a time without eating anything is also another behavior of hers that is
problematic. This behavior can increase Paula’s isolation as well as depression (Plummer,
Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). Engaging and participating in a group could assist with encouraging
Paula to be able to have some type of control as well as improve her current environment
(Toseland & Rivas, 2017). Support from a group could assist Paula with discovering and
acknowledging her strengths which in turn could her with making needed changes to assist with
improving her health.
3
Task Groups
A task group that includes a primary care physician, OBGYN physician, case
manager/social worker, and psychiatrist would be very beneficial to Paula. A treatment team
consisting of all of these skilled professionals can assist with the development of a treatment plan
that can assist Paula with being able to address all of her harmful behaviors such as her increased
paranoia, and noncompliance to her medication. The task group can provide Paula with the
needed support as she navigates her way to developing healthy and positive behaviors. The
professional in the task group can also assist Paula with connecting to resources that she will
need for herself as well as for her baby once she gives birth. The task group can also assist with
empowering Paula to participate in various community events so that she is able to engage and
connect with other individuals so that she is able to feel more connected and included in the
community.
Task groups usually consist of skilled professionals such as social workers, physicians,
and nurses who focus on behaviors that are identified in order to assist a client in achieving a
certain goal (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). In regards to Paula, the professionals will target certain
behaviors of her in order to assist her with improving her health outcomes for herself as well as
for her unborn child. A chairperson will lead the task group and a secretary will be responsible
for assisting with the management of the tasks as well as communication with the group.
Communication amongst the professionals within the task group is extremely important.
Although the professionals all come from different disciplines they all have and share one
common goal which is to assist Paula with improving her overall health and life, as well as that
of her unborn child. The task group will have weekly treatment meetings and communication as
needed as it
4
relates to Paula’s care and treatment. It will also be very important for Paula’s task group to also
include social supports so that she is able to thrive in her environment as well.
Advantages and Disadvantages
An advantage of a task group that consists of various professionals that are all focused on
one common goal is that they are able to reach better results versus a treatment group. The task
group members will have one person that they are all focused on versus having only one
professional working with and focusing on more than one client at a time. The task group will
have professionals from various disciplines which in turn can allow Paula to gain a better
understanding from various aspects in regards to improving certain skills. A disadvantage of a
task group is the task group may not serve to advance its members being as though the focus of
the group is already on the task at hand. Another disadvantage is that it could be a little bit more
difficult to communicate because of all the members included in the group.
5
References
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies:
Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.).
Boston, MA: Pearson.
Students also viewed