Social Work in Emergency Departments: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Social Determinants, Interventions, and Outcomes

This retrospective cohort study investigates the role and impact of social work interventions in the emergency department (ED) of a high-capacity urban tertiary hospital in Türkiye. The study analyzes data from 714 adult patients referred to the hospital's social work unit between 2019 and 2024. The findings reveal that social workers play a critical role in addressing psychosocial issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as individuals experiencing homelessness, victims of violence, and disaster survivors. Common diagnoses included lack of family support, physical disorders, and trauma-related conditions. The most frequent interventions involved psychosocial support, facilitation of housing and transportation, and communication with relatives. A statistically significant difference was observed between daytime and nighttime consultations, with fewer patients interviewed and assessed effectively during off-hours, underscoring the need for 24/7 social work coverage. Additionally, survivors of the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes showed high rates of unmet psychosocial needs, highlighting the role of ED social work in disaster response. The study concludes that the integration of social workers into emergency care settings enhances patient outcomes, improves care continuity, and optimizes healthcare resource utilization. It recommends policy measures to ensure continuous social work availability in EDs.