Social Work Services on an Organ Transplantation Program: A Preliminary Cost-Benefit Analysis

Abstract

Objective: A prospective clinical trial was conducted to measure the effectiveness and cost-benefit of social work clinical practice on a multi-organ transplant program. Method: Recipient financial, clinical, and quality-of-life data were collected for patients who received organ transplants in 1995 ( N= 105) at Integris Oklahoma Transplantation Institute. Results: The income produced for the organization exceeded the cost of providing social work services but demonstrated only a limited ability to reduce the future cost exposure for the program. Prioritized clinical practice identified those at greatest need of social work services, provided the framework for interventions and reporting of outcomes, while maintaining a patient's quality-of-life. Conclusions: The outcome-based clinical research has resulted in policies and clinical practice patterns that are both beneficial for transplant patients and meet the economic and clinical mandates of the employing organization.