Zuchowski, Ines, Kuruvila, Albert, Lee, Rebecca, and McLennan, Simoane (2024) Integrating social work into general practice in Australia: Protocol of an intervention study. Journal of Integrated Care. (In Press)

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Abstract

Purpose- This study protocol provides an overview of research aimed to evidence social work contributions to General Practitioner [GP] clinics and evaluate the value of social workers and students in such settings. The research will facilitate and evaluate 12 months service delivery by social workers and students who will be employed in North Queensland GP clinics.

Design/methodology/approach- The study will be conducted in three phases. The first phase will involve developing partnerships and contractual arrangement to co-fund social workers to be employed in GP clinics. In the second phase social workers and social work students will be practicing in GP settings and systematically record basic demographics about their patients, areas of health and interventions. This data will be collated and correlated. Patient feedback surveys and a pre- and post- wellbeing scale will be applied to evaluate the outcomes of interventions. In the final phase feedback about the value and contribution for social work in GP setting will be sought from key GP practice stakeholders via an online survey tool to evaluate the research.

Discussion- Further data needed to evidence the contribution and outcomes of social work practice in Australia and elsewhere. It is important that social work and GPs work together to evidence and evaluate the outcomes and contribution of social work to develop sustainable funding pathways for embedding social work in GP clinics.

Originality/value- This is an innovative study design that will use various data sources to identify, quantify and evaluate the contribution of social work in general practice. It allows for stakeholders feedback that can contribute to policy review and the development of funding pathways to advance the inclusion of social work in integrated team care.

Item ID:	83767
Item Type:	Article (Scholarly Work)
ISSN:	2042-8685
Keywords:	Social Work; Field Education; Primary Health Care; General Practice; Integration; Evaluation
Copyright Information:	© Emerald Publishing Limited.
Funders:	North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN)
Projects and Grants:	NQPHN PS311
Date Deposited:	29 Oct 2024 00:51
FoR Codes:	44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4409 Social work > 440901 Clinical social work practice @ 70% 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420319 Primary health care @ 30%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2003 Provision of health and support services > 200301 Allied health therapies (excl. mental health services) @ 30% 20 HEALTH > 2003 Provision of health and support services > 200310 Primary care @ 30% 20 HEALTH > 2002 Evaluation of health and support services > 200206 Health system performance (incl. effectiveness of programs) @ 40%
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