Explain how you, as a social worker, might apply a systems perspective to your work with Lester Johnson? Finally, explain how you might apply a systems perspective to social work practice?

We have established that people are constantly and dynamically involved in interaction with their social  environment (Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman, 2016 p.35). Lester recently was in an auto accident which  caused cognitive and physical damage. Because of the accident, Lester required additional rehab once  released from the hospital.

The microsystem level deals with a small social circle interaction that normally consists of a close  relationship with the individual’s family. In the case of Lester, his family consists of two children, brother,  and sister-in-law. His children have little to no involvement with his rehab care, the only family who has a played a significant role is his sister-in-law “sister-in-law seemed to be the most actively involved in  planning for his follow-up care” (Plummer, S., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S, 2014). On the micro level, I  would involve his family members and reiterate the importance of the support Lester needs during this  process. This lack of interaction or concern for Lester by most of his family transfers into the mezzo  system. The mezzo system is based on the interaction and relationship of the client. On the Macro level, I would ensure that the client along with the family is comfortable with the transition and facility  placement. I would also review the possibilities for Lester after the rehab process is over. Determine  rather or not he is self-sufficient enough to function on his own with minimum assistance from the  family or requires around the clock care.

The system theory in the case of Lester reflects how everyone involved is influenced by one another.  Lester accident has caused his children to withdraw from him physically, his brother doesn’t visit as well  while his sister-n-law is the only who supports him. There could be several logical reasons why the other  members of Lester’s family haven’t visited him. It could be because of the condition that he is in. In some cases, out of sight out of mind is whom family members handle this type of situation or the children  have lost their mom and could possibly think that they will use their father. As a social worker, in this  case, I would find a way to strengthen the family. I would refer the family to outside resources or  organizations that could help the family restore each other. A genogram could be used also to assist the  family with recognizing each member and the relationship amongst them.

Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source ereader]."Working with People with Disabilities: The Case of Lester" (pp. 31–33)

References

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment.  

(10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.