Kamal Wagle, Ann H Cottingham, Dawn Butler, Jenny Grover, Debra K Litzelman
{"title":"Understanding social workers' hidden roles in medication safety for older adults: A qualitative study.","authors":"Kamal Wagle, Ann H Cottingham, Dawn Butler, Jenny Grover, Debra K Litzelman","doi":"10.1080/00981389.2021.1900023","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Older adults are vulnerable to risks associated with medications. This study explores the roles of Social Workers in facilitating medication safety for older adults. Eight social workers from federally qualified health centers participated in a case-based and interactive medication safety curriculum. They participated in an in-depth, semi-structured interview to explore their roles and strategies in assisting older adults and caregivers with medication management. Findings were transcribed and analyzed. Six themes characterizing social workers' roles in medication management were identified: a) Referral: matching patients and medication-related resources within the health-care system and community; b) Communication: connecting providers, patients, caregivers, and support system; c) Access to medicine: addressing unique needs of each patient to foster their ability to obtain their medicines; d) Social Determinants of Health: investigating the social challenges of each patient and facilitating specific medication management approaches to meet identified needs; e) Engagement: engaging patients in co-developing a treatment plan; f) Caregiver Support: preparing caregivers to assist in medication management. Social workers are trained and well positioned to provide a multi-faceted approach to improve medication management for older adults. Their unique perspectives and skills are important in addressing the complex challenges of medication management.</p>","PeriodicalId":47519,"journal":{"name":"Social Work in Health Care","volume":"60 4","pages":"369-386"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00981389.2021.1900023","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Social Work in Health Care","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2021.1900023","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2021/3/17 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"SOCIAL WORK","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
Older adults are vulnerable to risks associated with medications. This study explores the roles of Social Workers in facilitating medication safety for older adults. Eight social workers from federally qualified health centers participated in a case-based and interactive medication safety curriculum. They participated in an in-depth, semi-structured interview to explore their roles and strategies in assisting older adults and caregivers with medication management. Findings were transcribed and analyzed. Six themes characterizing social workers' roles in medication management were identified: a) Referral: matching patients and medication-related resources within the health-care system and community; b) Communication: connecting providers, patients, caregivers, and support system; c) Access to medicine: addressing unique needs of each patient to foster their ability to obtain their medicines; d) Social Determinants of Health: investigating the social challenges of each patient and facilitating specific medication management approaches to meet identified needs; e) Engagement: engaging patients in co-developing a treatment plan; f) Caregiver Support: preparing caregivers to assist in medication management. Social workers are trained and well positioned to provide a multi-faceted approach to improve medication management for older adults. Their unique perspectives and skills are important in addressing the complex challenges of medication management.
期刊介绍:
Devoted to social work theory, practice, and administration in a wide variety of health care settings, this journal gives you the tools to improve your practice while keeping you up-to-date with the latest crucial information. Social Work in Health Care is edited by Gary Rosenberg, PhD, one of the most respected leaders in health social work. This creative, lively journal brings you the most important articles on research, leadership, clinical practice, management, education, collaborative relationships, social health policy, and ethical issues from the most respected experts in the field. The journal"s special issues comprehensively discuss a single pertinent health care theme.