Invisible experts: An interpretative phenomenological study of social workers role in interprofessional psychiatric drug and substance care management

This study aimed to explore the role of social workers in the care and management of drug and substance abuse within an interprofessional psychiatric environment, focusing on their practice experiences, challenges, and professional positioning. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study engaged 10 purposively selected social workers from Harare Psychiatric Hospital, Zimbabwe's largest mental health institution. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed in two phases: initial coding using MAXQDA software, followed by manual interpretation to identify superordinate themes. Findings revealed four key roles: (1) conducting psychosocial assessments that are often excluded from team decisions; (2) attempting to link patients with community-based rehabilitation services despite weak referral systems; (3) engaging families in recovery processes, often without institutional recognition; and (4) advocating for holistic, non-medical interventions that are frequently dismissed by clinical teams. The study concludes that social workers are essential yet undervalued actors in substance abuse care. Their marginalization undermines both patient outcomes and the effectiveness of interprofessional collaboration. Recommendations include integrating social work assessments into treatment planning, strengthening reintegration systems, institutionalizing interprofessional training, auditing policy implementation, and enhancing the resourcing of social work units to support sustainable recovery outcomes.