Hospital social work needs among older patients in Vietnam: priorities for a tiered service response

Purpose This paper aims to identify the hospital social work services prioritised by older patients in a Vietnamese public hospital and examine how perceived need varies by patient context and translate the findings into a feasible tiered service response. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was completed in 2025 by 360 patients aged 60 years or older at Thu Duc General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Participants rated four service domains on five-point scales. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were used. Findings Overall need was moderately high (M = 3.63, SD = 0.38). Policy, insurance and administrative guidance ranked first (M = 3.88), followed by resource linkage and post-discharge support (M = 3.74), psychosocial support (M = 3.71) and health education and self-care support (M = 3.20). Need varied by education, living arrangement, income or pension, self-care capacity and several treatment and support conditions, but not by sex, age, chronic-condition count or self-rated health. Practical implications A universal information offer should be combined with targeted social-needs screening and intensive coordination for patients facing functional, financial, treatment or caregiving vulnerability. Originality/value This study provides patient-reported evidence from a Vietnamese public hospital and connects quantitative need patterns to an implementable model of hospital social work for an ageing population.