Psychosocial issues within primary health care settings: challenges and opportunities for social work practice.
Given the important role of primary health care and the impact of psychosocial issues on health care, the records of individuals referred to social workers in two urban health care clinics serving low-income individuals were analyzed. Major psychosocial issues included family problems, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and violence. Women were more likely to have suffered violence while many of the men had problems dealing with their own aggression toward others. Women with depressive symptoms were more likely than other women to report substance abuse, financial problems, sexual abuse, anxiety, and physical problems. Implications for training and practice are discussed.
School of Social Work, University of Central Florida, PO Box 163358, Orlando, FL 32816-3358, USA.
Mary P
MP
Van Hook
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*