Social workers roles in achieving health quality metrics in primary care: a quality improvement case study

• Published in: Social work in health care Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 102 - 116
• Main Authors: Lombardi, Brianna M., de Saxe Zerden, Lisa, Prentice, Amy, Downs, Sarah Grace
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 2024; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Case studies; Clinical outcomes; Fairness; Health disparities; Health services; Health status; Humans; Medical personnel; Occupational roles; Patients; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Quality Improvement; Quality management; Quality Metrics; Quality of care; Social factors; Social Work; Social Workers; Teams; Value-based payment; Vulnerability; Social Work; Quality Improvement; Value-based payment; Quality Metrics
• ISSN: 0098-1389; 1541-034X
• DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2023.2292542

Value-based payment models may improve patient health by targeting quality of care over quantity of health services. Social workers in primary care settings are well-positioned to improve the quality of health services for vulnerable patients by identifying and addressing patients' social determinants of health. This case study describes a Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) quality improvement approach implemented and refined by social workers to proactively address clinical quality gaps in one family medicine practice. The studied program - entitled Gap Closure Day - was led by a team of social workers to improve quality outcomes of patients. Findings highlight the important roles of social workers as members of health care teams to improve the quality of health services and address health equity.