Three models of social work intervention with tuberculosis patients

Modern tuberculosis intervention emphasizes patient compliance with a medical regimen, but it neglects the need to change socioeconomic factors that contribute to the persistence of this disease. Currently, social workers rarely work with tuberculosis patients, although social work methods may be more appropriate for groups who resist the medical approach. Three models of social work intervention with a primarily black, low-income, tuberculosis population are described. The models emphasize community organization, case consultation, and medical social work methods, respectively.