Measuring social work productivity in health care

Developing a reliable and valid scale to measure psychosocial acuity

This tool is a unique comprehensive scale and methodology to measure the psychosocial acuity of patients and families across a health care continuum. Coupled with other measures, psychosocial acuity can tell a complete and compelling story of social work contributions and aid in resource alignment. Accurately conveying the full scope of social work value to anyone, especially health system leadership, requires that the psychosocial acuity of the patient and family be measured and factored into the equation, along with productivity, time spent, and services provided. The development and utilization of the Psychosocial Acuity Tool is the focus of this publication.

Measuring productivity in medical social work

Our purpose was to discuss the need for measuring and documenting social work services, as well as to discuss the data and statistical collection method used in Mayo Clinic's Section of Medical Social Services, which may be useful to other social service departments. The lack of empirical data showing the value of social work services may lead to decreases in staffing in medical social work departments. Mayo Clinic uses a computer application called MedSoc to gather case information and measure productivity, which is based on demand and capacity. Through use of MedSoc, our section improved communication among social work staff members and justified an increase in staffing of 38% from late 1997 to 2002.