Medical Social Services in Minnesota

Overview

Medical social workers from the Department of Medical Social Services are an essential part of the interdisciplinary health care team at Mayo Clinic. These professionals help patients and families cope with illness and injury, work through issues surrounding their health and treatments, and connect them with the appropriate resources.

Medical social workers provide counseling and support services that include:

• Support related to illness, treatment and recovery
• Coping with terminal illness
• Coping with grief
• Advance directives
• Parental concerns
• Vocational concerns
• Financial concerns
• Employee assistance programs
• Issues related to abuse, neglect and violence
• Separation from family, friends and home

Medical social workers can provide referrals to county, state and federal agencies and other social and financial agencies. Medical social workers can help with information and resources concerning a patient's long-term or chronic health care needs. They can provide information concerning:

• Home care
• Nursing homes
• Child life specialists
• Hospice care

What to expect from social workers

Compassionate listeners, problem solvers, mediators, counselors, and advocates, social workers will discuss health care issues and help identify possible solutions and alternatives. Social workers will provide support and methods for coping with these difficult issues.