Creating a Single System Design Study
Walden University
SOCW 6311: Social Work Research in Practice II
The Problem
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, Paula has both physical and mental health issues. As the social worker, I have discovered
that Paula is at risk of committing suicide. Also, regarding the health condition, Paula is rapidly
decompensating, which puts her and her pregnancy at significant risk. Furthermore, she has just
announced that she is pregnant and is torn between keeping the pregnancy and terminating it.
Also, she has developed paranoia because of the baby's father, who constantly threatens and
harasses her to a point she is not convinced of being hurt by him. This man has been harassing,
stalking, and threatening her all day, and due to the increased paranoia, Paula has gone back to
smoking to calm her nerves. In addition, she has stopped using her psychiatric medications and
has not been consistent with her HIV medications. Paula and I have a history of working
together, and I am aware of her multiple psychiatric and medical issues. However, I never
thought pregnancy would be an issue to discuss with her. Many concerns need to be addressed,
including Paula's medical needs, psychiatric needs, the welfare of her unborn child, her increased
paranoia, and her non-compliance with medications.
Focus of Treatment
From the above description, Paula is undoubtedly suffering from multiple problems. One
of the main problems that Paula is suffering from is the consistent abuse of drugs despite the
underlying physical and psychiatric issues. Currently, Paula has started abusing drugs to calm her
nerves after the harassment and threats from the father of her baby. Despite her health condition
and the pregnancy issue, she is not putting any effort into maintaining her health. Additionally,
Paula has a long history of non-compliance; she is always non-compliant with her medications.
She randomly stops them when he feels like she does not like the effects of her medication. Even
after knowing the seriousness of her medical status and her health needs, she gets to a point
where she stops taking her meds, including the ones for HIV, completely. Such decisions can be
14:40:15 GMT -05:00
Walden University
SOCW 6311: Social Work Research in Practice II
The Problem
14:40:15 GMT -05:00
, Paula has both physical and mental health issues. As the social worker, I have discovered
that Paula is at risk of committing suicide. Also, regarding the health condition, Paula is rapidly
decompensating, which puts her and her pregnancy at significant risk. Furthermore, she has just
announced that she is pregnant and is torn between keeping the pregnancy and terminating it.
Also, she has developed paranoia because of the baby's father, who constantly threatens and
harasses her to a point she is not convinced of being hurt by him. This man has been harassing,
stalking, and threatening her all day, and due to the increased paranoia, Paula has gone back to
smoking to calm her nerves. In addition, she has stopped using her psychiatric medications and
has not been consistent with her HIV medications. Paula and I have a history of working
together, and I am aware of her multiple psychiatric and medical issues. However, I never
thought pregnancy would be an issue to discuss with her. Many concerns need to be addressed,
including Paula's medical needs, psychiatric needs, the welfare of her unborn child, her increased
paranoia, and her non-compliance with medications.
Focus of Treatment
From the above description, Paula is undoubtedly suffering from multiple problems. One
of the main problems that Paula is suffering from is the consistent abuse of drugs despite the
underlying physical and psychiatric issues. Currently, Paula has started abusing drugs to calm her
nerves after the harassment and threats from the father of her baby. Despite her health condition
and the pregnancy issue, she is not putting any effort into maintaining her health. Additionally,
Paula has a long history of non-compliance; she is always non-compliant with her medications.
She randomly stops them when he feels like she does not like the effects of her medication. Even
after knowing the seriousness of her medical status and her health needs, she gets to a point
where she stops taking her meds, including the ones for HIV, completely. Such decisions can be
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