Preventive intervention in an HMO: the social worker's role in a marital separation program

Marital separation is a stressful life change which can have a major impact on subsequent health. The Harvard Community Health Plan, a health maintenance organization, is examining the effectiveness of an early intervention program in reducing stress-related and inappropriate medical utilization for people after marital separation. The administrative, clinical and supervisory multifunctional role of the social worker within the project is examined. The preventive intervention program is described, as well as the supervision and training of group leaders for the program. Preliminary medical utilization data support the hypothesis that marital separation is associated with increased health care utilization by those experiencing this life stress. More complete analysis of the results of the impact of the program will be detailed in a subsequent paper.