AMSWON Oyo State Chapter Holds Quarterly Seminar on Professionalism in Healthcare

The Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria (AMSWON), Oyo State Chapter, held its quarterly seminar on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, at the Physiotherapy Lecture Hall, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The seminar, themed “Professionalism in Healthcare Setting: Foundation for Ethical and Effective Service Delivery,” brought together medical social workers and healthcare professionals to discuss the importance of professionalism as the bedrock of ethical practice and effective patient care.

In his opening remarks, the State Chairman of AMSWON, Dr. Lekan Adeleke, expressed appreciation to the guest speaker and participants for their commitment to professional development. He emphasized that professionalism in healthcare requires confidentiality, empathy, compassion, cultural competence, effective communication, and the maintenance of professional boundaries. “By demonstrating professionalism,” he said, “social workers in healthcare settings can provide high-quality care and meaningful support to patients and their families.”

The Chairman of the seminar, Mr. Adekunle Alao, Special Assistant to the Chief Medical Director of UCH, commended medical social workers for their vital contributions to achieving the institution’s tripartite functions of research, training, and clinical services. He described medical social workers as a critical link between patients, families, and healthcare providers, ensuring access to necessary resources and information for navigating the healthcare system.

Mr. Alao also identified the key elements of professionalism in medical social work as respect, compassion, communication, accountability, integrity, commitment to continuous learning, teamwork, collaboration, and patient-centred care.

The event reinforced AMSWON’s dedication to strengthening professional ethics and promoting effective service delivery within the healthcare sector.