Factors affecting the operation and success of social work attachment schemes to general practice

The attachment of social workers to general practices has increased recently and this study reports some of the factors which affect the success of such arrangements.Access to a room in the surgery for interviewing and the use of a telephone is an important factor as the time spent by the social worker in the premises increases the chance of making good working relationships with members of the primary health care team.When the social worker handles all the cases personally there are advantages, especially for other members of the primary health care team, although in such a situation a social worker may become relatively isolated from her own profession. The organization of the practice itself is an important variable, especially the degree of commitment by members of the primary care team, and the attitudes of the doctors. It is helpful if the doctors meet together as a group or with other professionals. Equally, the social worker must be committed to the role. Social work attachments to health centres can be particularly effective. The lack of preliminary discussion with the social work agency can contribute to difficulties in such attachments, and preliminary meetings should include discussions about the type of cases to be referred and the quantity of social work time available.