Measuring productivity in medical social work.

Our purpose was to discuss the need for measuring and documenting social work services, as well as to discuss the data and statistical collection method used in Mayo Clinic's Section of Medical Social Services, which may be useful to other social service departments. The lack of empirical data showing the value of social work services may lead to decreases in staffing in medical social work departments. Mayo Clinic uses a computer application called MedSoc to gather case information and measure productivity, which is based on demand and capacity. Through use of MedSoc, our section improved communication among social work staff members and justified an increase in staffing of 38% from late 1997 to 2002.