Social Work in the Hospital: Interventions, Tensions, and Learning in a Healthcare Network
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Abstract
In this article, we aim to describe and analyze the professional experience of Social Work with hospitalized patients in a healthcare network in Argentina, to highlight the main interventions carried out, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned from professional practice.
We present a systematization of the Social Work intervention experience conducted during 2024. The population consisted of adults who underwent an evaluation at the request of their treating team. The purpose was to assess the need for hospitalization from a social perspective, identify situations of vulnerability and social risk, and contribute to discharge planning and continuity of care, avoiding prolonged or unnecessary hospitalizations. A comprehensive approach was applied using semi-structured interviews, analysis of social determinants of health, and standardized scales of functionality and social risk.
During the analyzed period, 703 hospitalized patients in internal medicine and psychiatry wards were evaluated, as well as 311 individuals in the pre-transplant process. The results revealed a significant prevalence of social vulnerability (37%), primarily associated with the fragility of support networks and the burden of caregiving responsibilities.
The experience allowed for the identification of tensions related to institutional timelines, high demand for care, and the ethical dilemmas inherent in healthcare work, as well as lessons learned aimed at strengthening the role of Social Services, humanizing care, and emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary and networked external collaboration.
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