The Critical Role of Social Workers in Home-Based Primary Care

Jennifer M. Reckrey, Gabrielle Gettenberg, Helena Ross, Victoria Kopke, Theresa Soriano, Katherine Ornstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

The growing homebound population has many complex biomedical and psychosocial needs and requires a team-based approach to care (Smith, Ornstein, Soriano, Muller, & Boal, 2006). The Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors Program (MSVD), a large interdisciplinary home-based primary care program in New York City, has a vibrant social work program that is integrated into the routine care of homebound patients. We describe the assessment process used by MSVD social workers, highlight examples of successful social work care, and discuss why social workers' individualized care plans are essential for keeping patients with chronic illness living safely in the community. Despite barriers to widespread implementation, such social work involvement within similar home-based clinical programs is essential in the interdisciplinary care of our most needy patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)330-343
Number of pages14
JournalSocial Work in Health Care
Volume53
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2014

Keywords

  • chronic illness
  • geriatrics
  • home-based primary care
  • homebound
  • psychosocial intervention
  • social work

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