Activities to Improve the Accessibility to clinical social work for Patients from Vulnerable/Disadvantaged/Marginalized Social Groups

Hur, Lib; Lee, Young-Sook

Quality Improvement in Health Care 2013;19(2): 80.
Published online December 30, 2013.

취약계층 환자의 의료사회 복지서비스 접근성 증진 활동

허립, 이영숙

서울대학교병원 의료사회복지팀

Activities to Improve the Accessibility to clinical social work for Patients from Vulnerable/Disadvantaged/Marginalized Social Groups

Lib Hur, Young-Sook Lee

Department of Social Work, Seoul National University Hospital

Abstract

Objectives
With the increase in the number of people who are marginalized in receiving medical services, the role of Seoul National University Hospital as a public hospital is being emphasized. However, many patients are either experiencing delays in receiving medical services or simply being left out as a result of the inaccessibility to the department of social work on part of both the patients and the medical staff.
Methods
In order to increase consultation from other departments and the accessibility to the department of social work for the socially marginalized group through early consultation from other departments, the following steps were taken. First, an orientation program for novice medical residents led by clinical social worker was introduced/implemented. Second, posters and brochures on various financial aids programs were produced and distributed. Third, a system of early screening was built/constructed, and once a week rounds and early screening meeting were executed/carried out.
Result
The department of social work's rate of consultation from other departments increased by 4.4% compared to last year, while it showed 61% increase for those wards that had an early screening meeting. In addition, the average time of consultation from other departments was reduced by 3.1 days, securing sufficient amount of time for clinical social work services, both in terms of quality and quantity.
Conclusion
It is believed that the various promotional activities, along with the strengthening of accessibility to clinical social work services and early consultation on part of social disadvantaged/marginalized group, would undoubtedly help provide quality services to patients and increase their level of satisfaction. In this way, the wards can effectively reduce the number of unnecessary hospital stay days while the hospital can prevent the accumulation of outstanding bills/fees as well as contribute to the publicness of hospitals. The promotion of clinical social work programs in various ways are crucial to ensuring the satisfaction of patients and hospital staff.

Key words Clinical social work;patients from marginalized groups;accessibility;