Pact

The PACT Social Work Staffing Program is an initiative by the Veterans Health Administration (VA) designed to improve how Veterans get care and services. It focuses especially on Veterans living in rural areas who might have trouble getting treatment because there aren't enough healthcare providers nearby. Social workers are now part of Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTs) to help Veterans with their social and emotional needs, which are very important for mental health and overall well-being.

Benefits

These PACT social workers act as a first point of contact for Veterans at VA facilities. They focus on reaching out to Veterans and managing their care rather than just responding to crises. They help identify challenges Veterans face, such as getting access to care, financial stability, housing issues, and having enough support. A key benefit is their ability to spot suicide risks and connect Veterans with mental health services they might not have sought out otherwise. Studies have shown that having these social workers has led to more Veterans being satisfied with their care, better access to services, and improved coordination of care for those in rural areas. For Veterans who use healthcare a lot, having a social worker was linked to fewer hospital stays and emergency room visits.

Use Cases

Pact social workers are used within VA facilities to support Veterans and their families. They work within Patient Aligned Care Teams to provide comprehensive care. This includes helping Veterans who live in rural areas, identifying social and health barriers, and providing mental health support. They are also involved in outreach and case management to ensure Veterans receive timely and appropriate care.

Vibes

Stakeholders have mentioned that the proactive outreach and coordination done by these social workers have made a significant positive difference. Evaluations have shown that integrating social workers into rural PACT teams has increased Veteran satisfaction and improved access to care. The program is seen as a best practice that is being prepared for wider use across all PACT teams.

Additional Information

The SERVE QUERI initiative, part of the VA Health Services Research and Development's Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, evaluated the PACT Social Work Staffing Program. The evaluation found that the program improved primary care delivery. In one year, the program supported 74 social workers who served over 44,000 Veterans, with more than half living in rural areas. The program is moving towards becoming a standard model, with training and support being given to new social workers at various facilities to help them adopt and sustain the approach.