Integrated primary care and social work: A systematic review

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  • Fraser, M.W.
    • Affiliation: School of Social Work
  • Lombardi, B.M.
    • Affiliation: School of Social Work
  • Wu, S.
    • Other Affiliation: Arizona State University
  • Zerden, L.S.
    • Affiliation: School of Social Work
  • Richman, E.L.
    • Affiliation: Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
  • Fraher, E.P.
    • Affiliation: Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
Abstract
  • Objective: Behavioral and physical health services are increasingly being integrated, with care provided by interprofessional teams of physicians, nurses, social workers, and other professionals. The objective of this study was to describe the functions of social workers on interprofessional teams in primary care and to assess the impact of interprofessional teams that include social workers in integrated care settings. Method: We undertook a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of routine vs. integrated primary care where social workers served on interprofessional teams. A 5-phase search process to identify RCTs from 9 electronic databases and the gray literature published between 2000 and 2016 was used. We calculated effect sizes across identified studies and conducted 2 subsample meta-analyses for behavioral health outcomes. Results: The searches recovered 502 citations. After screening, 107 reports were retained for a full-text review, and 32 of those (from 26 RCTs) met study criteria. In the 26 RCTs, social workers engaged in 3 patient-centered activities: behavioral health treatment, care management, and referral for social services. Conclusion: Although mixed, the findings suggest that, compared to routine services, integrated primary care provided by interprofessional teams that include social workers significantly improves the behavioral health and care of patients.
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  • Article
Rights statement
  • In Copyright
Journal title
  • Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research
Journal volume
  • 9
Journal issue
  • 2
Page start
  • 175
Page end
  • 215
Language
  • English
ISSN
  • 2334-2315
Publisher
  • University of Chicago Press

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