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Measuring productivity in medical social work
H David Kossman1, Jennifer M Lamb, Michael W O'Brien
1Section of Medical Social Services, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Social Work in Health Care
|October 21, 2005
Summary
Measuring social work services is crucial for demonstrating value and preventing staffing cuts. Mayo Clinic
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Social Work Administration
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- The value of social work services in healthcare settings is often not empirically measured.
- A lack of data can lead to reduced staffing in medical social work departments.
- Standardized data collection is needed to demonstrate the impact of social work interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the necessity of measuring and documenting social work services.
- To present the data and statistical collection methods used by Mayo Clinic's Section of Medical Social Services.
- To offer a potentially useful model for other social service departments.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a computer application named MedSoc for data and statistical collection.
- Utilizing MedSoc to gather case information and measure productivity based on demand and capacity.
- Documenting social work services provided by the Section of Medical Social Services.
Main Results:
- The MedSoc system facilitated improved communication among social work staff.
- Data collected through MedSoc supported a justification for increased staffing.
- Staffing in the Section of Medical Social Services increased by 38% between late 1997 and 2002.
Conclusions:
- Measuring and documenting social work services is essential for demonstrating value.
- A systematic approach to data collection, like Mayo Clinic's MedSoc, can support departmental needs.
- Effective data management can lead to improved operational efficiency and resource allocation in social work departments.