How Can Social Workers Improve Outcomes and Costs in Disease Management?
Author InfoNancy Claiborne (School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, New York, USA) Henry Vandenburgh (Department of Sociology, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA) Abstract Disease management relies on a team approach to chronic diseases for which good treatment regimens are known and national data are available. Limitations of and opportunities for disease management programs are explored and a case is presented that the inclusion of social work can enhance the performance, outcomes, and cost-benefits of disease management teams. Social workers can attend to depression, other mental health issues, resources, family support, and communication, when other team members may be less able to do so. Social workers are particularly well suited to help patients have voice in their treatment, and to participate actively as decision makers in their own care. Preliminary data show that inclusion of social workers in disease management programs enhances
