Social work in emergency departments: A multi-dimensional analysis of social determinants, interventions, and outcomes

This retrospective cohort study examined social work interventions in the emergency department (ED) of a high-capacity tertiary care center in Türkiye, between February 2019 and February 2024. Data from 714 adult patients referred to the hospital's social work unit were analyzed. Of these patients, 54.8% were female, the mean age was 46.3 years, and over 40% required multidisciplinary interventions. The most common diagnoses were lack of family support and homelessness (35.0%), physical disorders (28.7%), and assault (20.0%). The leading interventions were psychosocial support (40.8%), facilitation of housing and transportation (32.8%), and contact with relatives (25.1%). A significant difference was found between daytime and nighttime consultations, with unmet needs more frequent during off-hours (p < .001). Among survivors of the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes, 96.7% required hospitalization or referral to support services, underscoring the importance of post-disaster hospital-based social work in addressing ongoing psychosocial needs. These results emphasize the role of ED social workers in meeting urgent psychosocial needs, supporting disaster-affected patients, and ensuring continuity of care, thereby enhancing patient outcomes, improving care continuity, and optimizing healthcare resource utilization. Policies ensuring 24/7 social work coverage in EDs may further strengthen these benefits.