Patients & Visitors
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Social Work Services for Patients & Families
Clinical counseling and care
Social & Emotional Support
As members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's (BIDMC) clinical social workers are trained, licensed professionals who provide counseling, information and assistance with care planning.
Community resource specialists and advocates help to determine what community programs, services and benefits may be available to meet the unique needs of individual patients.
Our social workers can assist with a variety of issues including:
- Anxiety, depression or psychiatric illness.
- Coping and adjustment to a new diagnosis, illness or hospitalization.
- Difficulty in accessing community services or programs.
- Family or relationship problems that effect health and wellbeing.
- Financial and insurance difficulties.
- Grief, loss or end of life issues.
- Housing problems.
- Impact of illness on children and family members.
- Substance use.
- Violence in personal relationships or the community.
Confidentiality
Under state law, conversations with a licensed social worker are privileged and confidential. While the hospital social worker does communicate with your healthcare team, they are not permitted to disclose information to others without your consent.
The exceptions to this general rule include situations in which:
- there are reasons to believe that the patient will harm themselves or others.
- there is a question of child abuse or neglect.
- there are specific orders from a judge.
More About Social Work Services
Specialty Social Work Programs
In some instances, BIDMC’s social work team offers services tailored to address the unique challenges posed by a specific type of medical need. From group meetings to help you find a community of support to specific clinical techniques to help manage stress, we offer a wide range of advanced services.
These programs reflect BIDMC’s commitment to addressing the diverse needs of patients and their families, ensuring compassionate care and access to vital resources.
Cancer Social Work & Support Groups
Dedicated to supporting patients and families navigating cancer diagnoses, this program includes one-on-one counseling and group support services. Learn more about our Cancer Social Work Services.
Medical Surgical Units
Every patient care unit at BIDMC has a social worker assigned who meets daily with the care team. Patients and family members can request the assistance of a social worker during their stay through their health care team.
Medical/Surgical social workers are part of the interdisciplinary team and are assigned to each clinical unit.
We are available to patients and families for a variety of issues including:
- Assisting in the adjustment to new diagnosis, life altering illness or treatment.
- Helping to facilitate communication with the health care team.
- Assisting patients and families in accessing resources including referrals to community agencies and treatment providers.
- Providing support and counseling around end of life care.
- Providing clinical intervention for issues of addiction, homelessness, and safety assessment and planning.
Neurocognitive Disorder Social Work
This program supports patients with neurocognitive disorders such as dementia, offering counseling, resource navigation and support for caregivers. Learn more about Cognitive Neurology Social Work.
Obstetrics & Gynecology Social Work
Specialized programs offer counseling and emotional support for pregnancy and postpartum behavioral health, as well as guidance for those experiencing miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Learn more about Obstetrics & Gynecology Social Work.
Trauma-Informed Care for Abuse & Violence
Our Violence Intervention & Recovery programs offer trauma-informed care to individuals impacted by abuse, violence, sexual assault, homicide and other forms of trauma. The Center for Violence Prevention & Recovery at BIDMC offers services that provide a safe, supportive environment for healing and recovery.
Patient & Family Engagement
Our Patient and Family Engagement Program, which includes our Patient Family Advisory Councils, is an important part of our effort to engage patients and their loved ones in all aspects of care delivery, quality and safety. Collaborating with our Patient/Family Advisors helps ensure we are providing the highest possible quality of care.
Social Work Education & Professional Development
The Department of Social Work is committed to training and educating students who are pursuing degrees in social work. Opportunities for medical students include our graduate social work internships.
Professional Development for BIDMC Staff
The department also maintains an active commitment to the professional development of our staff. The department sponsors several forums for ongoing education including grand rounds and continuing education programs.
