The unique role of the social worker within the Hospital at Home care delivery team

Soc Work Health Care. 2021;60(4):354-368. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2021.1894308. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Abstract

Hospital at Home (HaH) provides acute, hospital-level care at home and post-discharge follow-up. Through a review of 293 HaH admissions conducted by an urban, multidisciplinary HaH program from 2014 to 2017, we find that the social worker is involved in 71% of admissions and plays a crucial role in pre-emergency department discharge home care and safety screening, home intake, follow-up support, and transition of care to primary care providers and community-based services. We describe the social work activities involved in this model of care and present composite case studies for further illustration.

Keywords: HaH; Hospital at Home; home hospitalization; home-based care; psychosocial assessment; social work.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aftercare
  • Home Care Services*
  • Hospitals, Urban
  • Humans
  • Patient Discharge*
  • Social Workers