The Management of Psychosocial Problems in Primary Medical Care: A Potential Role for Social Work

Abstract

A significant proportion of patients are motivated in seeking care, in part, because of psychological distress or the physical problems compounded by such distress. The appropriate diagnosis and management of these problems constitute formidable clinical problems. The potential role of social work practice within ambulatory medical care is examined in relation to improving the responsiveness of care for such patients, and attention is given to strategies of management. Factors inhibiting the introduction of such services include the traditional orientations of social work and the discontinuity between public conceptions of medical care and social work practice.

Index Terms:

• primary care
• social work
• stress
• psychological disorder
• psychosocial problems