Intervention and Impact of Social Casework in a Public Medical Setting in Bangladesh

Abstract This study designed to examine the impact of social case work interventions on patient satisfaction, psychosocial well-being, and treatment adherence in a public medical setting in Bangladesh. Public hospitals, which are often the primary health care providers for economically disadvantaged populations, face challenges in offering holistic patient care due to limited resources and high patient volumes. The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of social case work on patient satisfaction and coping mechanisms, as well as to identify barriers and opportunities for integrating social case work into Bangladeshi health care. A total of 30 patients from diverse regions of Bangladesh has selected through purposive sampling for the case study and experiments. Quantitative data has collected using pre- and post-intervention experiments, to evaluate satisfaction levels across health care services, diagnostic understanding, treatment adherence, and follow-up attendance. Additionally, qualitative insights have gathered through in-depth interviews and were analyzed thematically to capture patient experiences with social case work. Findings indicate that social casework significantly improved patient satisfaction, with notable increases in adherence to treatment and follow-up attendance. Satisfaction with health care services rose from a primarily "Less Satisfied" rating to a predominantly "Very Satisfied" rating post-intervention. Patients reported greater emotional support, improved coping skills, and enhanced family communication, all of which contributed to their overall well-being. This study recommends policy changes to formally incorporate social case work in public hospitals, including ethe establishment of social work departments and the licensing of social workers for health care settings. These changes could foster a more patient-centered approach in Bangladeshi healthcare, addressing both medical and psychosocial needs.