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The role of social workers in medicines management for older adults: Insights from Wales

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Title: The role of social workers in medicines management for older adults: Insights from Wales
Authors: Jones, Emyr, Smith, Mathew W., Yemm, Rowan, Burrows, Daniel
Publisher Information: Oxford University Press
Publication Year: 2026
Collection: Cardiff University: ORCA (Online Research @ Cardiff)
Description: Effective management of medications is vital for older adults and individuals with chronicconditions, as non-adherence can lead to adverse health outcomes, increased dependenceon social care, and preventable hospitalisations. This study examines the critical role of socialworkers in medicine management in Wales, highlighting their contributions to promoting safemedicine use throughout the care pathway. Semi-structured interviews were conducted withseventeen registered social workers across ten local authorities, exploring their experiencesand practices in medicine management. Despite lacking formal medicine managementtraining, social workers serve as key facilitators, bridging gaps between health and social care,coordinating with healthcare professionals, and addressing adherence barriers. However, thestudy exposes significant role ambiguity, with social workers frequently taking onresponsibilities beyond their remit due to systemic workforce pressures and the absence ofclear guidelines. Strengthening governance structures, fostering interdisciplinarycollaboration, and implementing targeted training programmes are essential to enable socialworkers to contribute effectively to medicine management while maintaining professionalboundaries and enhancing support for individuals. This research offers valuable insights intothe evolving role of social work in medicine management, laying the groundwork for furtherexploration and greater integration of social perspectives into healthcare practices.
Document Type: article in journal/newspaper
File Description: application/pdf
Language: English
Relation: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/1/BJSW-25-092.R2_Proof_hi.pdf; https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/2/This%20article%20is%20currently%20in%20press.pdf; Jones, Emyr https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A2688675E.html, Smith, Mathew W. https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A009331I.html orcid:0000-0002-5697-0204 orcid:0000-0002-5697-0204, Yemm, Rowan https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A1594922Y.html orcid:0000-0002-4678-9532 orcid:0000-0002-4678-9532 and Burrows, Daniel https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A3287227.html 2026. The role of social workers in medicines management for older adults: Insights from Wales. The British Journal of Social Work Item availability restricted. file file
Availability: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/
https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/2/This%20article%20is%20currently%20in%20press.pdf
Accession Number: edsbas.28430BA6
Database: BASE
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  – Url: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/#
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  Data: The role of social workers in medicines management for older adults: Insights from Wales
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jones%2C+Emyr%22">Jones, Emyr</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Smith%2C+Mathew+W%2E%22">Smith, Mathew W.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yemm%2C+Rowan%22">Yemm, Rowan</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Burrows%2C+Daniel%22">Burrows, Daniel</searchLink>
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  Data: Oxford University Press
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Cardiff University: ORCA (Online Research @ Cardiff)
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  Data: Effective management of medications is vital for older adults and individuals with chronicconditions, as non-adherence can lead to adverse health outcomes, increased dependenceon social care, and preventable hospitalisations. This study examines the critical role of socialworkers in medicine management in Wales, highlighting their contributions to promoting safemedicine use throughout the care pathway. Semi-structured interviews were conducted withseventeen registered social workers across ten local authorities, exploring their experiencesand practices in medicine management. Despite lacking formal medicine managementtraining, social workers serve as key facilitators, bridging gaps between health and social care,coordinating with healthcare professionals, and addressing adherence barriers. However, thestudy exposes significant role ambiguity, with social workers frequently taking onresponsibilities beyond their remit due to systemic workforce pressures and the absence ofclear guidelines. Strengthening governance structures, fostering interdisciplinarycollaboration, and implementing targeted training programmes are essential to enable socialworkers to contribute effectively to medicine management while maintaining professionalboundaries and enhancing support for individuals. This research offers valuable insights intothe evolving role of social work in medicine management, laying the groundwork for furtherexploration and greater integration of social perspectives into healthcare practices.
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  Data: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/1/BJSW-25-092.R2_Proof_hi.pdf; https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/2/This%20article%20is%20currently%20in%20press.pdf; Jones, Emyr https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A2688675E.html, Smith, Mathew W. https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A009331I.html orcid:0000-0002-5697-0204 orcid:0000-0002-5697-0204, Yemm, Rowan https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A1594922Y.html orcid:0000-0002-4678-9532 orcid:0000-0002-4678-9532 and Burrows, Daniel https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A3287227.html 2026. The role of social workers in medicines management for older adults: Insights from Wales. The British Journal of Social Work Item availability restricted. file file
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  Data: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/<br />https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184538/2/This%20article%20is%20currently%20in%20press.pdf
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