When to Involve Social Services in Managing Patients

Social Services and Healthcare
[First Name, Last Name]
[Institutional Affiliation]
[Date]
Social Services and Healthcare
Social services have become a vital part of the healthcare system, specifically in addressing the various social determinants of health. This follows changes in the health sector that prompted the call for new roles, different professional competencies, and models of treatment. Evidence suggests that the role social services play in care provision is rapidly expanding and cuts across patient populations and diagnoses (Fraser et al., 2018). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018) reported a 20% increase in social workers active in a primary care setting since 2016 and projected a 19% increase in this population by 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). This paper details the social services in my community, instance when it is vital to involve them in managing patients within the primary care setting and my experiences with social services.
Social Services in my Community
The social services division in my community provides accessible, high-quality, and equitable services that support not only the health of all people but also their social and economic well-being (Stanhope et al., 2015). These services include child welfare, aging services, vulnerable population services, early childhood, financial security, and family violence. However, among all these services, much focus is on the vulnerable populations by enabling them to be self-sufficient. Recent proposals directed integration between social services and primary care settings, housing, and community development.
When to Involve Social Services in Managing Patients
A Patient with Both Physical and Behavioral Health Problems and No Known Relatives
Social services often manage the care plan of such patients with no living or known guardian or a family member. They often work jointly with nurses to arrange community resources to build a web of support essential for meeting the patient needs (Fraser et al., 2018). The required resources may range from financial support to basic needs such as change of clothing. A social worker may also collaborate with a physical health provider to evaluate and monitor the h...