Health social work in interprofessional teams during COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

Introduction. Health social work is a multifaceted specialisation that actively contributes to the teamwork allowing to provide comprehensive care in primary, hospital, and mental health services. We explored the international literature to identify the practices of health social workers in interprofessional teams during the COVID19 pandemic. Methodology. A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute method, following the theoretical framework and iterative process proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and PRISMAScR recommendations. Eight databases (Web of Science-Core Collection, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Social Work Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts and Sociological Abstracts) were consulted. A total of 18 studies published between 2020 and 2022 met the eligibility criteria. Results. The thematic analysis led to classifying the results into four types of interprofessional relations practices: crisis intervention, mental health, public health, and end-of-life care. Additionally, the lessons learned from these practices were identified as themes: the opportunity to strengthen the legitimacy of health social work in health services and the recognition of the role of health social workers based on performance criteria and the assessment of skills and competencies; their contribution to teamwork as enablers of communication, support, cooperative relationships, collaborative adaptation and trust; and the possibility of expanding sub-specialisation fields in the future. Discussion. The studies reviewed provide evidence that health social work focuses mainly on COVID-19 care-related functions in hospital care teams, and less on interventions for public health promotion or disease prevention in primary care teams. Moreover, among the various needs they address, health social workers concentrate the most on the mental and behavioural wellbeing of both users and the healthcare teams with which they collaborate. Conclusions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health social workers in interprofessional teams performed their skills competently, including leadership roles and as teamwork enablers. Further empirical studies on their contributions to these teams are necessary. Indeed, this would allow conducting systematic reviews and to assess intervention outcomes, identify good practices, and strengthen emergency planning for future crises. It is also crucial to enhance the legitimacy of health social work as an essential profession and acknowledge its significance within interprofessional teams, both in traditional presential services and virtual health services, as well as to promote new competencies in fields of sub-specialisation. Promoting interprofessional health education in social work curricula is key to addressing future health as well as economic and environmental crises. It remains to be assessed whether health social work will be given an appropriate place in interprofessional teams to effectively provide comprehensive healthcare services.