ABSTRACT
RURAL SOCIAL WORK Social workers function in diverse venues and with diverse roles. It is inaccurate to assume that social workers function the same way in every venue, because differing circumstances and resources dictate how social workers articulates their role. This definitional difference can be seen when comparing the urban and rural hospital social worker. In this chapter we look at the rural hospital social worker, noting the differences and similarities between these workers and their urban counterparts. The assumptions regarding rural communities are that the area is not dominated by large metropolitan cities, the lifestyle is more relaxed, there is more open land, and, as such, less density of population and activity.
