The pathways model for integrative care and the social work role: case study

ABSTRACT The Pathways Model is an approach guiding the individual to combine self-care, habit change, and positive lifestyle changes, with professional healthcare interventions. There are multiple roles that a social work professional can adopt in guiding the individual in a Pathways recovery plan, including a coaching role, assessment, health education, lifestyle guidance, skills training, counselling, diversity specialist, and integrative care coordination. Spirituality, religious practices, and complementary therapies are important elements in integrative care. The professional social worker with the benefit of social work training is optimally suited to engage in these multiple therapeutic roles. A case narrative of a 49-year-old woman with hypertension and heart disease illustrates how a social worker can utilise various elements of social work practice to facilitate a client’s use of the Pathways Model.