Social workers are an integral part of the health care team, helping patients and their families cope with the challenges and problems caused by illness or life changes. A master's degree in social work is required for all Barnes-Jewish Hospital social workers. There are currently more than 75 of these highly qualified professionals in the case management services department All social work services are available for Barnes-Jewish Hospital inpatients and clinic outpatients at no charge.
As a patient at Barnes-Jewish Hospital you have specific patient rights and responsibilities. We want you to be aware of these rights and responsibilities to allow you to be well informed, participate in your health care decisions, and communicate with your health care team. Social work services include:
Psychosocial Assessment and Interventions
Social workers assist patients and families in identifying ways to cope with the psychosocial aspects of illness or injury. Throughout the hospitalization, a social worker can connect the patient to resources in the community to prepare them for a safe and effective transition back home. Regardless of if a patient is inpatient or outpatient, or the service line a patient is being managed on, social work is available to provide support as needed.
Community Resources
Social workers have detailed knowledge of available resources to help with problems such as:
- Housing
- Employment
- Legal issues, such as guardianships
- Finances
- Crisis intervention and counseling
- Discharge planning
- Hospice
Advance Directives
Social workers support a patient’s right to participate in making decisions about their health care. They can be consulted to provide patients and families with information about advance health care instructions, including living wills, health care treatment directives and durable powers of attorney.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital respects a person's right to participate in planning their health care, either directly through written instructions, or by appointment of another person to make decisions when the patient is unable to communicate their wishes.
An advance directive is one of several health care instructions such as a living will, health care treatment directive or durable power of attorney for health care. Your advance directive becomes effective only if you are unable to participate in making decisions for yourself. It is important that you discuss your preferences with your family, physician, clergy, attorney and friends so that others will be aware of your wishes.
Should you decide against completing a written advance directive, it is still a good idea to select a spokesperson to speak for you should you be unable to communicate your wishes. Be sure to let your medical team know whom you have selected.
If you are interested in obtaining an advance directive, please review the below:
- If you are a current patient admitted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital and interested in obtaining an advanced directive, you may request a consult to discuss with your assigned social worker.
- If you receive outpatient care at a Barnes-Jewish Hospital clinic and interested in obtaining an advanced directive, you may contact your clinic and request a form.
- If you receive outpatient care at a Washington University Clinic, please request a consult to the Washington University Social Worker.