Concerns and challenges facing social workers in family practice

Twenty-five social work members of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine responded to a survey in which they identified their chief concerns and challenges encountered in family practice. Of nine areas of concern to social workers in interdisciplinary practice identified from the literature, respondents viewed as most important the achievement of acceptance and regard among other disciplines for the social worker and the value of his/her contribution to family practice. This was followed closely by the associated challenges of developing interdisciplinary relationships and fostering an accurate understanding of the role functions of the social worker in family practice. To confront these and other concerns, careful attention to three major needs suggested by the survey results is advocated: (1) the need for social workers to maintain high standards of performance in family practice, (2) the need for family physicians and other health care personnel to understand the role functions of the social worker and examine their attitudes toward collaboration with social workers, and (3) the need for regular and constructive dialogue between all personnel in family practice.