Which statement best describes a Medical Social Worker?

• A. Social worker who locates resources for patients after discharge
• B. Social worker who runs school-based programs
• C. Social worker who designs housing policy
• D. Medical Social Worker

Answer: (D)

Medical social workers operate in healthcare settings, addressing how social, emotional, and financial factors affect a patient’s health and care. They assess needs, coordinate with the medical team, arrange resources for treatment and discharge, and support patients and families as they navigate services, insurance, and community supports. The best description here is the professional title itself—Medical Social Worker—because it directly names the role within the medical setting and encompasses the range of duties that connect patients to needed services and advocate for their well-being. The other options point to related roles in different contexts: running school-based programs describes school social work, and designing housing policy is a policy/advocacy role outside healthcare.