Social Workers

[akosidave]

Does anyone know of any social workers working in the field of sleep disorders? From what I understand "Behavioral Sleep Medicine" is the technical name for it and it is dominated by phsyciatrists and psychologists. As a social worker myself, I am interested in any opportunities that may be available in this career path.

Thanks,

Dave

[BlackSpinner]

I think it would be wonderful to have some one who understands the emotional and relationship dynamics of CPAP available to people. Most don't even seem to realize that some of the problems they are experiencing are just that.

Getting recognized, patronized and paid is another battle since most insurances barely recognize Sleep apnea beyond the purely mechanical aspects.

[elg5cats]

Does anyone know of any social workers working in the field of sleep disorders? As a social worker myself, I am interested in any opportunities that may be available in this career path.
Thanks,Dave

Medical Social Workers may be involved in discharge planning for patient's with sleep disorders. This is more common in university settings or large medical institutions employing social workers. SW is most likely to be involved when patient has complex medical issues with sleep disorder treatment needs identified during a hospitalization. SW role likely include assessing patient eligibility for community/state resources when without insurance. Also, SW may assist patient with receiving DME services. For example, MD orders CPAP, social worker explores resources of patient/ability to pay for equipment, assists with available resources when needed, review available DME's based on service area/insurance preferred DME providers, forwards RX/Order and related medical documents to DME, connecting DME/patient to arrange delivery of equipment. May be possible to facilitate a support group for sleep disordered patients if endorsed by sleep clinic MD's in the practice setting. Much of medical based social work practice is focussed on resource linkage, discharge planning for home health, skilled care, facility placement, interdisciplinary treatment planning conferences and DME needs. If you are thinking more of support and psychosocial counseling, probably not a high proability for employment at this time in treatment of sleep disorders......is there a need, sure. Economic factors drives much of the social worker's role in the medical setting.

elg5cats