Social Work Department

The Social Work and Discharge Planning Department of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is staffed by licensed clinical social workers and continuing care registered nurses. As part of the health care team, we help patients and their families understand and cope with medical, psychological, social and practical concerns related to their illness and treatment.

We are available to support you throughout your care at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in the outpatient and inpatient services. We provide information, counseling, and referral services.

• Founded in 1907, our department is the second oldest social work department in a medical setting in the United States.
• We are available to you during your hospital stay and before, during, and even after your discharge.
• We understand that coming to a hospital can be stressful and medical issues have an impact on other areas of your life.
• We understand the impact of illness on patients and their families.
• We are here to help you find solutions for many problems- from daily issues to life’s most challenging situations.

If you are, or will be, an Infirmary patient and would like assistance with preadmission procedures, transportation or arrangements for home care services following your hospital stay, we will be happy to help you. Many families find it worthwhile to contact us before hospitalization.

Communications are private and confidential. This means that in most instances your hospital social worker is not permitted to disclose information obtained from you to anyone other than your health care team without your consent. If you have questions about confidentiality and its limitations, our department will be glad to discuss this further.

Our Social Workers and Continuing Care Nurses are available to provide you and/or your loved ones with support and counseling relative to all aspects of illness or injury, from practical considerations about aftercare to dealing with family problems, emotional issues, worries and concerns. Our office is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Services

Please call us if:

• you need help in planning for care after surgery or medical treatment.
• you would like information about community resources for the deaf and hearing impaired and/or the blind and visually impaired.
• you are having difficulty in coping with the impact of your illness on your work, personal relationships, ability to care for yourself.
• you need visiting nurse services.
• you need specialized medical equipment or supplies for your continuing care.
• you need assistance with resources for transportation or medical escort.
• or help with other issues that may affect the continuity of your care.

The Social Work Brochure is available in pdf format. (Right click and save to your computer.)

Contact Information/Hours of Operation

Telephone: 617-573-3550 for further information.
Messages may also be left after hours and on weekends.

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

content updated: 9/30/05