Social work in emergency departments: A multi-dimensional analysis of social determinants, interventions, and outcomes

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Çamcı M., Soğanda Ş. Y., Baran M. F., Alpaslan M. Ş.

Social Work in Health Care, vol.64, no.9-10, pp.288-304, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 64 Issue: 9-10
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/00981389.2025.2563554
  • Journal Name: Social Work in Health Care
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, AgeLine, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.288-304
  • Keywords: Crisis intervention, emergency departments, health services, hospital resource utilization, social determinants of health, social work, vulnerable populations
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: No

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study examined social work interventions in the emergency department (ED) of a high-capacity tertiary care center in Türkiye, between February 2019 and February 2024. Data from 714 adult patients referred to the hospital’s social work unit were analyzed. Of these patients, 54.8% were female, the mean age was 46.3 years, and over 40% required multidisciplinary interventions. The most common diagnoses were lack of family support and homelessness (35.0%), physical disorders (28.7%), and assault (20.0%). The leading interventions were psychosocial support (40.8%), facilitation of housing and transportation (32.8%), and contact with relatives (25.1%). A significant difference was found between daytime and nighttime consultations, with unmet needs more frequent during off-hours (p <.001). Among survivors of the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes, 96.7% required hospitalization or referral to support services, underscoring the importance of post-disaster hospital-based social work in addressing ongoing psychosocial needs. These results emphasize the role of ED social workers in meeting urgent psychosocial needs, supporting disaster-affected patients, and ensuring continuity of care, thereby enhancing patient outcomes, improving care continuity, and optimizing healthcare resource utilization. Policies ensuring 24/7 social work coverage in EDs may further strengthen these benefits.