Maliheh Khalvati - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Hossein Fekrazad - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
Hamid Reza Khankeh - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Rafat Jah - University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Monireh Khalvati - Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
Mahboube Khalvati - University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Hospital social workers face many challenges in performing their tasks and roles in the hospital, despite this,they manage to fulfill their duties. Several international studies address the challenges and constraints faced by social workers in the workplace. Which include lack of clarity of roles, lack of work control, budget constraints and inadequate organizational resources and which are the main reasons behind dissatisfaction in the social work.This study was conducted with a qualitative approach. That content analysis method to identify the challenges faced by social workers working in Tehran's public hospitals based on their experiences. 22 hospital social workers were selected through purposeful sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field notes, and observation. The main concept of professional pain included the challenges faced by social workers which comprised four categories: "stereotypes ", "legal and civilian deficiencies", "organizational barriers" and "fatigue and burnout". challenges were discussed at three macros, middle and micro levels.

Hospital Social Worker, Professional Pain, Content Analysis, Challenges