Roles of medical social workers in interprofessional teams: a case study of a Shanghai COVID-19 quarantine centre for medical observation

ABSTRACT

This study explored the roles of medical social workers in interprofessional teams based on the case of a Shanghai COVID-19 quarantine centre for medical observation. In the quarantine centre, a medical social worker transitioned from role exploration to role construction. To play professional roles in the team, it is necessary for social workers to create a supportive working environment, identify service gaps, promote interprofessional cooperation and construct new roles gradually. The empirical experience of this social worker can inform interprofessional team-building efforts for other countries and regions facing pandemic crises.

KEYWORDS:

• Role
• medical social worker
• interprofessional team
• quarantine centre
• interprofessional collaboration

Acknowledgments

Thank you for all the help and encouragement given to us by the interprofessional team members, so that we can record this valuable and special experience and share with other colleagues in different regions to fight against the pandemic.

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of interest in this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yan-Yan Chen

Yan-Yan Chen, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work at Fudan University. Her research interests include health social work, aging, and anti-poverty policy.

Jie Zhuang

Jie Zhuang, MSW, is a medical social worker in the Department of Social Work at Shanghai East Hospital. Her interests include health social work practice and research.