STUDY UNIT 11: Intersectoral collaboration

Question 1

what is intersectoral collabortion

Answer 1

Intersectoral collaboration involves integrating contributions from different
sectors (that is, social functions, such as health, welfare, education and justice),
whether from the NGO/NPO sector or the state. Such collaboration can also
be between professionals and non-professionals,

Question 2

define referral

Answer 2

Referral is about the utilisation of appropriate or available resources or service
providers to assist a client with a specific need, problem or condition. Referral
is about linking clients with service providers to ‘refer’ is ‘to hand over to a person, etc.;send on or direct; to make appeal or have recourse to some authority or source
of information; to send to a medical specialist

Question 3

when should patients be referred to psychologists

Answer 3

•• depression and/or suicidal thoughts
•• extreme stress, anxiety or panic;
•• unresolved grief;
•• alcoholism/drug abuse;
•• serious medical problems;
•• eating disorders;
•• legal problems, such as disputes regarding custody of children, and
•• family difficulties

Question 4

what factors should you keep in mind when reffering patients

Answer 4

•• Get a clear idea of what the problem is before referring.
•• Know your limitations and do not get out of your depth of competence.
•• Choose your words carefully. Possible phrases include:
–– You might find it helpful to …
–– You might like to talk with …
–– Would you consider talking with …?
–– I think it might be useful for you to …
–– Do not say, ‘You need to see …’ or ‘You must talk …’
•• Be honest. Tell the person why you are not the best person or why someone
else might be better at helping them at that moment.
•• Do not feel overwhelmed or guilty if you cannot help.
•• Reflect the client’s feelings around being referred empathically.

Question 5

what is meant by burnout

Answer 5

Burnout refers to physical and/or emotional exhaustion after long-term or intense
stress. Burnout is a process that could be illustrated by the following quote: ‘First
things are difficult, then we get used to it, and finally we cannot stand it anymore’

A fully functioning person is someone who is open to experience, not very
defensive, aware of and sensitive to the self and the external world, and has
fairly harmonious relationships

burnout means having a discrepancy in one’s experience. In a
study on counsellors by Gachutha (2006), burnout was found to be associated
with feeling helpless, feeling inadequate, blurred boundaries, sadness, self-pity,
self-blame, confusion, feelings of guilt, and frustration. The lack of effective
intervention strategies or ways to deal with this when facing challenging situations
is a consistent hallmark of burnout.
Physiological symptoms include nervousness, feeling cold, automatic mental
blocks, body aches and pains, lack of appetite, insomnia and helplessness.
Behavioural symptoms include getting weary, feeling fatigued, an inability to
concentrate, and an inability to empathise.