The Correlation Between Social Work Encounters and Health Outcomes in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact social workers have on the health of children with cystic fibrosis and to see if an increased number of social work encounters is an indicator of poor health in these children. Methods: The electric medical record (EPIC) was used to collect data on 193 patients born between 2000 and 2024 (0 to 23 years). Data from June 1, 2019, to June 1, 2024 (or birth to June 1, 2024) was considered. Physical information, namely age (months and years), mutation (homozygous, heterozygous, or other), BMI (or weight/length) percentile and z-score, %FEV1, modulator (if applicable), visits to CF clinic, outpatient pulmonary exacerbations, and inpatient pulmonary exacerbations was collected. Additionally, social factors: food, housing, or transportation insecurity, education, prior CPS involvement, patient/caregiver mental health (qualitatively and with PHQ-9/GAD-7 (>age 11)), language barriers, and insurance type were taken into account. All values were adjusted for age by months. Statistical analysis by t-test was conducted to check for the significance of the findings. Results: When considering the entirety of the data set, it can be deduced that the number of social work visits is suggestive of health. Namely, a high number of social work encounters corresponded to lower BMI and FEV1 (-m), and a higher number of exacerbations (+m). Statistically, however, this is not significant, so we accept the null hypothesis that social work encounters have no significant impact on health markers. In patients with the top 10 most social work encounters, exacerbation trends remain consistent, but FEV1 and BMI trends appear in the inverse (+m). Further research is needed to determine why. Our hypothesis is disproven, perhaps due to social workers improving the health of patients by providing support and resources.