If you work in healthcare, you know firsthand how challenging it can be to handle the diverse needs of multiple patients with limited resources. However, social workers with master’s degrees can provide valuable assistance by addressing the underlying social determinants of health and connecting patients with community resources.Â
This is becoming increasingly important, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9% rise in social worker employment by 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.Â
Recognizing this need, many universities now offer in-person and online master of social work programs, with financial aid options available, such as those offered by Spalding University.Â
This provides aspiring social workers with a viable opportunity to pursue their education and meet the growing demand for their expertise.Â
In this article, we’ll explore how these professionals can support healthcare providers and improve patient outcomes.
The Benefits of Working With Social Workers
The United States currently employs more than 164,972 hospital social workers, the majority of whom are women at 77.1%, with men comprising 22.9%. These social workers offer numerous benefits to healthcare providers.Â
They can provide crucial assistance in various ways, including but not limited to:
Improved patient satisfaction: Social workers are trained to address patients’ emotional, social, and practical needs. By providing this support, they can help patients feel more satisfied with their healthcare experience.
Reduced healthcare costs: Social workers can play a vital role in preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions, reducing healthcare disparities, and linking patients with community resources. These actions can result in cost savings for healthcare providers.Â
In a research study spanning two years and involving 100 high-risk readmission patients, social work intervention was found to be highly effective in reducing hospital readmissions by over 50%.
Lighter workload: Social workers can take on tasks such as coordinating care transitions, communicating with patients’ families, and addressing psychosocial issues. This can free up healthcare providers to focus on medical care.
Better patient outcomes: By addressing social determinants of health, such as housing insecurity or food insecurity, social workers can improve patients’ overall health and well-being.
How Master’s Degree Programs in Social Work Benefit Healthcare Providers
Social workers with offline or online master’s degrees have specialized training that prepares them to meet the complex needs of patients and healthcare providers. Here are some of the ways in which these programs can benefit healthcare providers:
Flexibility: Master’s degree programs in social work are designed to be flexible, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace while continuing to work full-time. This means that social workers can continue to support healthcare providers while pursuing advanced education.
Advanced training: These programs also provide advanced training in areas such as crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and ethical decision-making. This means that social workers are better equipped to support healthcare providers and provide the highest level of care to patients.
Diverse perspectives: A master’s degree in social work attracts a diverse range of students, which means that healthcare providers can benefit from working with social workers who bring a variety of perspectives and experiences to the table.
Access to technology: Students are provided with access to the latest technology, which can be used to streamline communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and social workers.
Incorporating Social Workers into Healthcare Teams
If you’re a healthcare provider interested in working with social workers, here are some tips for incorporating them into your team:
Build relationships: Get to know the social workers in your community and build relationships with them. This can help you understand how they can support you and your patients.
Identify needs: Identify areas in which social workers can provide support, such as care transitions, discharge planning, or patient education.
Collaborate: Work with social workers to develop care plans that address patients’ medical and social needs.
Communicate: Establish clear lines of communication between healthcare providers and social workers to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Conclusion
In conclusion, social workers with online master’s degrees have the potential to play a critical role in improving healthcare outcomes. With their unique skills and training, social workers can help address social determinants of health, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the overall quality of care.Â
By working collaboratively with healthcare providers, social workers can provide valuable insights and support that can help healthcare teams better meet the needs of their patients.Â
So if you’re a healthcare provider looking to enhance the care you provide, consider partnering with a social worker today. Together, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients.
