Social Work Services
Being in the hospital or having a loved one who is sick or injured can be difficult on your whole family. Social workers are part of the interdisciplinary care team at the University of Chicago Medicine.
Our Social Work Team
Our social workers are masters-level clinicians dedicated to integrating the social and psychological needs of patients and families with their health care. They have completed additional training to provide specialized expertise in a variety of areas. Their role as part of the medical team is to offer support, information and education. They provide services to your family during inpatient hospitalizations, when visiting an outpatient office or clinic, and even after your return home.
Our social workers are guided by core professional values including the promotion of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence.
What They Do
Most members of our social work team work with specific programs where they provide specialized expertise. Clinical services provided include:
- Psychosocial assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Supportive counseling around adjustment to illness, hospitalization and/or outpatient care
- Help navigating the hospital system
- Behavioral health assessments
- Supportive counseling for loss/bereavement
- Safety
- Assistance accessing hospital and community resources, including healthcare and insurance coverage
- Consultation with hospital staff and/or other community agencies
- Discharge planning
Our social workers connect you with the hospital and community resources you need. Here are some ways social workers help families:
- They answer questions about insurance, legal rights and hospital or community resources.
- They are there for families who have just received devastating news, such as a new cancer diagnosis or chronic illness.
More Resources
You always have the right to choose what you want done with your health care. This includes your right to say no to any treatment offered to you.
You can create what is called an "advance directive," such as a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Will. An advance directive tells us what you want done in the future in case something happens and you cannot speak for yourself.
If you have an advance directive, please bring a copy with you at the time of surgery. If you do not have an advance directive and wish to create one, you can call Social Work at 773-702-6243 in advance and ask them for help.
UChicago Medicine does not provide transportation to and from outpatient appointments and procedures.
- Public transportation to UChicago Medicine's Hyde Park campus
- Travel tips for riding Pace buses
Resources for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities
Additionally, patients with Illinois Medicaid are eligible for transportation through First Transit.
Patients with managed Medicaid plans may be eligible for transportation. Please contact your insurance company’s member services team for more information.