Using Latent Class Analysis to Understand Social Worker Roles in Integrated Health Care

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Social work (SW) is a profession that fulfills important roles on integrated health teams, yet there remains a lack of clarity on SW’s functions. The current study sought to identify typologies of SW’s roles on integrated care teams using latent class analysis (LCA).

Method: An electronic survey was developed, piloted, and administered to Masters level SW students and practitioners in integrated health care settings (N = 395) regarding weekly use of interventions. LCA was conducted to estimate latent sub-groups of respondents.

Results: Respondents reported an average of 14.6 (SD = 4.7) interventions. Five classes of SW roles were identified and varied by setting and focus. One class (13%) completed a hybrid function providing behavioral health and social care interventions.

Conclusions: Classes of SW roles on teams may reflect varying models of integrated care. A flexible SW on the team may adapt to patient and clinic needs, but increases the opportunity for role confusion.

KEYWORDS:

• Integrated care
• latent class analysis
• social work
• interprofessional practice
• team-based care

Acknowledgments

We would also like to acknowledge Brian Perron, PhD at the University of Michigan School of Social Work for his consultation during study design.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This publication was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of HHS as part of an award totaling $1.1 million. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor are an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. government.