In recognition of World Social Worker Day, we take the time to reflect on the significant impact welfare workers have on society. According to the Australian Association of Social Workers, social workers play a key role in providing their clients with efficient health care services by representing their patient’s voice. This includes ensuring treatment plans are adhered to, providing key insights about their patient, and ensuring successful discharge from healthcare services.
Social workers provide vital support in the healthcare cycle, helping with treatment plans and being a critical communicative link between patients and HCPs
Welfare workers utilise their counselling skills and provide their patients and carers with a comfortable environment to discuss treatment options. Thus, it is important for HCPs to be mindful of effectively communicating such information with social workers in order to help relay it to their patients.
As a result, healthcare providers (HCPs) and social workers need to work together and communicate effectively to ensure their patients can receive the best support. In elderly patients, social workers have been found to play a major role in advance directive communication, and in many cases are the preferred staff member to discuss their healthcare autonomy, as opposed to doctors and nurses. Thus, it is important for HCPs to be mindful of effectively communicating such information with social workers to help relay it to their patients.
For more information on how we can support you with your communication needs, please contact us at [email protected].
Dianne Gill
Head of Medical Communications & Patient Experience
Dianne lead’s a team who is experienced at optimising the exchange of scientific and clinical information and has a passion for improving the patient experience....
View Profile