Circular No. 51/2024/TT-BYT stipulates on the implementation of social work in medical examination and treatment facilities issued by the Minister of Health.

 

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the Implementation of Social Work in Medical Examination and Treatment Facilities

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 110/2024/NĐ-CP dated August 30, 2024 on social work;

Pursuant to Decree No. 95/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 15, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment;

The Minister of Health issues this Circular to regulate the implementation of social work in medical examination and treatment facilities.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Circular stipulates on:

a) Social work services in medical examination and treatment facilities;

b) Procedures for providing social work services;

c) Contents of intervention plans and evaluation of intervention plans.

2. This Circular applies to medical examination and treatment facilities licensed to operate under the form of hospitals.

Article 2. Social work services in medical examination and treatment facilities

Social work services in medical examination and treatment facilities for patients and their relatives (hereinafter referred to collectively as patients) include one or more of the following services:

1. Provision of emergency assistance services for patients:

a) Assessing risk and psychological and social needs to screen and classify patients. During the assessment, pay special attention to patients who are children, women, persons with disabilities, persons with mental health disorders, elderly victims of violence, abuse, exploitation, disasters, or suspected victims of violence, abuse, exploitation, and other urgent cases requiring support;

b) Coordinating with departments, units, and relevant authorities to address psychological and social issues and meet the urgent needs of patients for healthcare, financial, water, food, clothing, essential items suitable to the actual situation of the patient and the medical examination and treatment facility;

c) In necessary cases, refer patients to healthcare institutions, educational institutions, public security agencies, or other appropriate organizations based on the support requirements of the patient.

2. Provision of guidance, intervention, and rehabilitation services for patients: In addition to the contents prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, the provision of guidance, intervention, and rehabilitation services for patients shall be carried out as follows:

a) Organizing reception and creating the best conditions for patients when they come to the facility for medical examination and treatment, aiming at patient satisfaction;

b) Establishing a Social Work File (if necessary and appropriate) in accordance with Appendix I issued together with this Circular;

c) Establishing and implementing intervention plans to assist patients in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 4 of this Circular;

d) Monitoring and evaluating intervention activities in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 4 of this Circular.

3. Health education communication:

a) Establishing a plan for health education communication for the community;

b) Coordinating with departments, units within the medical examination and treatment facility to establish a plan for health education communication for patients;

c) Collaborating to develop content and materials to introduce and promote the image, services, and activities of the medical examination and treatment facility to patients and the community through organizing events, programs, conferences, seminars, internal information channels, and digital platforms.

4. Organization of resource mobilization for social work activities:

a) Serving as the focal point in developing plans to mobilize resources to implement social work activities, including mobilizing resources to support individual patients;

b) Organizing resource mobilization to implement social work activities according to the plan prescribed in Point a of this Clause and in accordance with the law.

Article 3. Social work service provision process

The social work service provision process for patients in medical examination and treatment facilities shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of Decree No. 110/2024/NĐ-CP dated August 30, 2024 of the Government on social work.

Article 4. Content of intervention plan and evaluation of intervention plan

1. The basic content of the intervention plan includes one or more of the following activities:

a) Counseling, providing information, and introducing: - Medical examination and treatment services of medical examination and treatment facilities for patients; - Programs and social policies on medical examination and treatment, health insurance, social assistance, and other policies related to patients; - Supporting answers to patients' questions during medical examinations and treatments.

b) Providing psychological and social support to patients; implementing social work techniques to support patients.

2. Evaluation of the implementation of the intervention plan:

a) Regularly evaluating during the implementation of the plan to adjust the plan if necessary;

b) In cases where all contents of the plan have been completed and it is evaluated that the patient no longer requires further support, the plan will be concluded and the Social Work File will be stored together with the medical record for comprehensive patient management;

c) In cases where all contents of the plan have been completed and it is evaluated that the patient still requires support, a new intervention plan will be established based on the patient's support needs or the patient will be referred to an appropriate support facility.

Article 5. Responsibilities of medical examination and treatment facilities

1. Allocating resources to implement social work services as prescribed in this Circular, including human resources which must ensure the principle that each department, unit of the medical examination and treatment facility assigns at least one staff member as the main organizer of social work activities of the department, unit. Based on job requirements, conditions, and actual circumstances, the Director of the medical examination and treatment facility implements one of the following social work models:

a) Social Work Team;

b) Social Work Department;

c) Social Work Center.

2. Organizing training, updating knowledge on social work for social workers of the facility.

3. Training, updating knowledge on social work, organizing practical social work activities, and issuing certificates of updated social work knowledge and certificates of practical social work according to the law.

Article 6. Responsibilities of social workers

1. Implementing tasks within the scope of social work services as stipulated in Article 2 of this Circular.

2. Managing cases of patients using social work services.

3. Organizing interdisciplinary collaboration including social workers, healthcare personnel, and experts from relevant fields to provide comprehensive care for patients.

4. Organizing inter-departmental collaboration between medical examination and treatment facilities and other agencies and organizations to address patients' psychological and social issues.

Article 7. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from March 1, 2025.

2. Circular No. 43/2015/TT-BYT dated November 26, 2015 of the Minister of Health on the tasks and organizational forms of hospital social work duties becomes invalid from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 8. Reference Provisions

In cases where the legal regulatory documents cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, the amended, supplemented, or replacement documents shall apply.

Article 9. Implementation Organization

1. The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment shall be responsible for:

a) Directing, guiding, and inspecting social work activities at medical examination and treatment facilities nationwide;

b) Organizing mid-term and final reviews of social work activities at medical examination and treatment facilities.

2. Provincial Departments of Health under the central city shall be responsible for directing, guiding, inspecting, supervising, mid-term and final reviewing social work activities at medical examination and treatment facilities within their jurisdiction. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, they are advised to report to the Ministry of Health (Department of Medical Examination and Treatment) for guidance or consideration and resolution.

During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, they are advised to report to the Ministry of Health (Department of Medical Examination and Treatment) for guidance or consideration and resolution./.

 

Appendix I

SAMPLE SOCIAL WORK FILE

 

SOCIAL WORK FILE

I. BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE PATIENT

1. Full name: …

2. Date of birth: …

3. Gender: □ Male    □ Female    □ Other

4. Address: …

5. Contact phone number: …

6. Citizen identification number: …

7. Health insurance: □ Yes   □ No

8. Full name of caregiver: …

Relationship: …Phone number: …

9. Additional information (if any): …

II. INFORMATION ON PATIENT MANAGEMENT

1. Currently being treated in the Department: …

2. Room number: …

3. Medical record file code: …

4. Admitted on: …

5. Diagnosis: …

6. Summary of patient's circumstances: …

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7. Department's recommendations for social work support: …

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8. Documents received with the patient:

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9. Additional information (if any): …

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III. ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS, OBJECTIVES AND PLAN FOR SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANCE

1. Needs for social work assistance:

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2. Objectives of social work assistance:

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3. Plan for social work assistance:

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IV. SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES ALREADY IMPLEMENTED

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V. OUTCOME UPON DISCHARGE

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VI. DATE OF CLOSING THE SOCIAL WORK FILE: ...............................................................