Ethical principles in social work are based on values that should guide social workers in their
professional practice. Social work, like any other profession, has a specific code of ethics
tailored to the particularities of the profession. Through a qualitative research study, I aimed to
explore the necessary skills social workers require for high-quality performance, the extent to
which they apply the code of ethics in their work, and its usefulness in resolving ethical
dilemmas. Additionally, the study examined the integration of social workers into the healthcare
field and the methods of interprofessional collaboration. In the theoretical part, I initially
focused on professional ethics and its significance in professional practice. Then, I provided a
theoretical definition of the competencies considered most important for professional workers.
Subsequently, I delved into the ethical principles of social workers and compared them with the
ethical principles of healthcare professionals. Finally, I emphasized the importance of
interprofessional collaboration. The research included four social workers, two employed at a
Center for Social Work and two in a healthcare institution. Interviews were conducted using a
partially standardized questionnaire. The findings revealed that the interviewees possess a wide
range of competencies that contribute to their self-confidence in their work. They frequently
encounter ethical dilemmas, for which they use the code of ethics as a guideline for ethical and
moral decision-making. Furthermore, the research indicated that interprofessional collaboration
is a significant part of their daily practice, and they do not face significant difficulties in this
regard, despite some challenges during the integration into the healthcare field. Based on the
presented results, I provided a discussion section, where I connected the findings with relevant
theory. Finally, I added a chapter of recommendations, emphasizing the importance of trust
among professional workers and the relevance of active and cooperative interprofessional
collaboration within the team.
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