Advancing Social Work in Primary Healthcare

This Collection on social work practice in primary healthcare brings together articles from across the globe, paying special attention to social work interventions and research in primary healthcare settings. Worldwide, primary healthcare is considered the first point of access for ambulatory and personal healthcare services (World Health Organization [WHO], Citation2018). Grounded by a foundation of comprehensiveness, primary healthcare strives for the highest possible level of health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities by focusing on their broad range of needs and preferences (WHO, Citation2018). Primary healthcare encompasses a continuum of care inclusive of health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care (WHO, Citation2018). With the increased focus on interdisciplinary team-based models across jurisdictions (Ashcroft et al., Citation2024; Feryn et al., Citation2024; Peduzzi et al., Citation2019), there have been opportunities to expand the integration of social workers, social care, and mental health services in such primary healthcare settings. Social work’s biopsychosocial foundation and commitment to social justice and equity are optimal for primary healthcare (Döbl et al., Citation2015).

Australian Social Work

Australian Social Work

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1447-0748

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