CHALLENGES IN CASE MANAGEMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES IN MALAYSIA (Cabaran Pengurusan Kes Orang Kurang Upaya (Oku) Mental Di Malaysia)

Abstract

Case management of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) particularly the mental category has been scarcely studied in Malaysia. With mental illness rapidly growing into a public health issue, more research especially in the aspects of case management is needed. In relation to that, this paper aimed to explore on the challenges in case management that caseworkers for persons with mental disabilities (PWMD) faced in Malaysia. This qualitative study conducts in-depth interviews twice with 10 caseworkers from Medical Social Work Department and Social Welfare Department. Data were analyzed thematically using content analysis method. The study discovered that challenges arise were negative perception towards PWMD, lack of specialized trainings, and lack of effective collaborations between agencies. The findings suggest that the Health Ministry and Welfare Department should enhance collaboration between them in getting their resources such as information and manpower together in fulfilling the needs of PWMD. On top of that, the study highlights the importance of caseworkers’ roles in brokering between the agencies in order to increase client functionality in society. This paper is important for policymakers to take into account the needs and the capacity of the PWMD and also caseworkers to ensure the effectiveness of both welfare and health services. Thus, the case management services for persons with mental disabilities will be improved which are aligned with Malaysia’s social work competency standards.

___________________________

Kajian mengenai pengurusan kes OKU mental masih belum cukup di Malaysia. Dengan isu penyakit mental semakin menular sebagai isu kesihatan awam di Malaysia, lebih banyak kajian terutamanya dalam pengurusan kes diperlukan. Sehubungan dengan itu, makalah ini bertujuan untuk meneroka cabaran pengurusan kes yang dihadapi pekerja kes orang kurang upaya (OKU) mental di Malaysia. Kajian kualitatif ini melakukan temu bual secara mendalam sebanyak dua kali dengan 10 informan yang merupakan pekerja kes dari Jabatan Kerja Sosial Perubatan dan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan kaedah analisis kandungan dengan mengeluarkan tema. Kajian ini menemui bahawa cabaran yang muncul adalah persepsi negatif terhadap OKU mental, kekurangan latihan yang khusus, dan kurangnya kolaborasi yang berkesan antara agensi. Penemuan menunjukkan bahawa Kementerian Kesihatan dan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat perlu meningkatkan kerjasama antara mereka dalam mendapatkan sumber seperti maklumat dan tenaga kerja bersama bagi memenuhi keperluan OKU mental. Lebih-lebih lagi, kajian ini menunjukkan pentingnya peranan pekerja kes dalam pembrokeran di antara agensi untuk meningkatkan fungsi pelanggan dalam masyarakat. Kertas kerja ini penting bagi pembuat dasar untuk mengambil kira keperluan dan keupayaan OKU mental dan bagi memastikan keberkesanan perkhidmatan kebajikan dan kesihatan. Oleh itu, perkhidmatan pengurusan kes untuk OKU mental akan ditingkatkan sejajar dengan standard kompetensi kerja sosial Malaysia.