Social Work Practice Models in General Practice in Australia: Protocol of an Intervention Study

Purpose: This study protocol provides an overview of research that aims to integrate social workers into general practice teams to improve care coordination and reduce the burden of psychosocial issues presented to General Practitioners (GPs). Design/Methodology/Approach: This proof-of-concept study will be conducted in five overlapping phases to implement and evaluate three different models of social worker integration into general practice teams. The first phase will involve developing partnerships, contractual arrangements, co-design workshops, and an advisory group to establish the project. Phases two and three will focus on implementing the three models. The final phase is the evaluation and dissemination phase. Data collection will include co-design workshops, Qualtrics data capture surveys completed by social workers, wellness assessment surveys, patient feedback forms, and a stakeholder feedback survey. Data analysis will involve thematic and statistical analysis. Discussion: As an emerging area of practice for social work, the implementation of social work practice in general practice needs to be carefully planned and scaffolded. The findings of the evaluation of the models will show how they can address identified needs for primary health care and patient care in the primary health care setting. Co-designing the models at the implementation stage will ensure practice staff buy-in and provide a way to address anticipated challenges, such as referral pathways, role clarification, and resource availability. Originality/Value: This project will contribute to existing knowledge by testing the feasibility and effectiveness of different models of social worker integration into general practice teams in the Australian context, which is a major focus of the national ten-year primary health care plan and Strengthening Medicare reforms. The project will also identify the conditions and factors that influence the implementation and outcomes of social worker integration, such as role clarity, interdisciplinary communication, formal structures and processes, risk management, and funding.