Facts about Social Work and Health

A 2006 study of licensed social workers from the NASW Center for Workforce Studies revealed the following about the practice of health social work:

There is a potential shortage of social workers in health care services because of the increase in demand for both chronic and acute medical care with the dramatic increase in the number of older adults.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) is the predominant degree of social workers across health care settings. MSWs comprise 82% of social workers in this practice area.
More than half of health care social workers are employed in hospitals. Significant numbers of social workers also work in health clinics (14%) and hospices (14%).
Health care social workers are most likely to practice in metropolitan areas (85%), while few practice in micropolitan areas (7%), small towns (6%), or rural areas (2%).
Health social workers provide direct services to clients, impart information and make referrals, screen and assess clients, and intervene in crisis situations most often in their area of practice.
More than three-fifths of social workers report an increase in the severity of client problems, caseload size, paperwork and waiting lists for services.
Social work in health care settings is a major practice area serving older adults. Health care social workers comprise more than one-third of all social workers who serve predominantly older adult caseloads.

Additional facts about social work and health

There are many different specialties in the health practice of social work, including oncology, hospital, nephrology, pain management and hospice.
Nearly 34 million people were admitted to hospitals in 2004.
Social workers are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, working closely with doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 110,000 medical and public health social workers in 2004.
Because hospitals are releasing patients earlier than in the past, social worker employment in home health care services is growing.
The median annual earnings of medical and public health social workers were $40,080 in May 2004.

For more information about social workers and health, please visit http://www.helpstartshere.org/Health_And_Wellness/Default_Page.htm