Making the invisible visible: Are Canadian medical social workers addressing the social determinants of health?

Craig, S. L., Bejan, R., & Muskat, B. (2013). Making the invisible visible: Are Canadian medical social workers addressing the social determinants of health? Social Work in Health Care, 52(4), 311–331. https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2013.764379

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Highlights

Background

A significant body of multidisciplinary, international literature has determined that many health and mental health issues are rooted in preventable social inequalities such as poverty, inadequate housing, food insecurity, and social exclusion—themes familiar to social workers.

Study Description

• This study explored the ways in which health social workers (HSW) address the social determinants of health (SDH) within their social work practic

• SDH included socioeconomic status, social supports, diversity and equity, and health care services themselves.

Key findings

• Social workers (n = 54; Mage = 43.07, SDage = 14.02) at major hospitals across Toronto had many years of practice in health care (M = 11 years; SD = 10.32) and indicated that SDH were a top priority in their daily work

  • 98% intentionally intervened with at least one SDH

  • 91% attended to three or more SDH

• Health care services were most often addressed (92%), followed by housing (72%), disability (79%), income (72%), and employment security (70%)

• Few HSW were overtly tackling racism, Aboriginal status, gender, or social exclusion in their daily practice, however they recognized the impact these issues had on their daily interactions with clients

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