The Social Aspect of the^Cardiac Case 



By Lela Frances Thompson, A.M. 



INTRODUCTION 



The Social Service Department of Indiana University began 

 its work September 20, 1911. The Department has three objects^ : 

 education, prevention, and research. It aims to further the cure 

 of those patients referred to it by physicians in connection with 

 the City Dispensary and the Robert W. Long Hospital who recog- 

 nize that their patients need more than medicine. The patients 

 are thus educated in personal hygiene and new ways of living. 

 The education, however, does not stop here, for the community is 

 taught thru the publications put out by the Department and the 

 speeches made by the workers. Students, also, come in for their 

 share of education, those studying medicine and nursing, as well 

 as the ones enrolled in the Social Service Department. 



Cooperation with the doctors was considered the best possible 

 way to accomplish the results sought. Because of their medical 

 connection, the w^orker was designated as the Medical Social 

 Service Worker. 



In the beginning there was only one worker, so the question 

 naturally arose as to which type of case should receive the most 

 attention. The patients dealt with were those who presented 

 themselves at the City Dispensary and the Robert W. Long Hos- 

 pital. All patients were unable to pay for care of any kind, so 

 the one demanding the most in time and money would be taken 

 as the one in greatest need of outside help. Some needed nothing 

 but medicine, while others needed constant care and supervision 

 as to work, recreation, diet, and general hygiene. 



On October 4, 1911, the first cardiac case was referred to the 

 Social Service Department by one of the doctors at the City Dis- 

 pensary. The case was baffling. All kinds of social adjustments 



^ Report of Social Service Department of Indiana University, 1911-1912 and 

 1912-1913. 



(S) 



