COLLABORATION BETWEEN MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AND HEALTHCARE TEAMS IN PATIENTS CARE

Abstract

Collaboration between medical social workers and healthcare teams is fundamental to the delivery of integrated, patient-centered care. This study examined the quality, determinants, and challenges of interprofessional collaboration in hospital settings. A mixed-method approach was applied, involving a survey of 228 healthcare professionals and semi-structured interviews with 25 participants. Quantitative data analyzed through Microsoft Excel indicated generally positive perceptions of collaboration, with strong ratings for communication (M = 4.1) and mutual respect (M = 3.9). However, lower scores for institutional support (M = 3.5) and shared decision-making (M = 3.6) highlighted persistent structural gaps. Qualitative insights reinforced these findings, revealing that workload pressure, time constraints, and hierarchical barriers limited the consistency of collaboration, particularly among social workers and allied professionals. Hospitals with formalized administrative frameworks exhibited stronger coordination, clearer roles, and higher staff morale. The study concludes that effective collaboration exists but requires organizational reinforcement through leadership engagement, policy-driven teamwork, and professional inclusion to achieve sustainable, equitable, and comprehensive healthcare outcomes.