Supportive services are an important part of healthcare that are designed to help people with health-related needs. These services can range from physical and mental health services to case management and social services. Supportive services have been shown to improve quality of care, increase access to care, and reduce costs. This article discusses the role of supportive services in healthcare, the evidence supporting their use, and the challenges associated with providing them.
Supportive services refer to a broad array of services that are designed to address the needs of individuals, families, and communities related to health and social issues. These services can include basic needs such as food, housing, transportation, and employment, as well as more specialized services such as mental health and substance use disorder treatment, case management, and health promotion. Supportive services can be provided in a variety of settings, including primary care, community-based organizations, and hospitals.
The evidence for supportive services is strong. Studies have shown that providing supportive services can improve clinical outcomes, increase access to care, and reduce costs. For example, a systematic review of studies examining the effect of case management on health outcomes found that case management was associated with improved health outcomes, such as decreased hospital readmissions and improved quality of care. Similarly, a study of a community-based supportive service program found that the program was associated with decreased emergency department visits and improved health outcomes.
In addition to the evidence supporting the use of supportive services, there are also challenges associated with providing them. These challenges include identifying and addressing patient needs, lack of resources and funding, and lack of trained personnel. To address these challenges, healthcare organizations need to develop systematic approaches to identifying and addressing patient needs, ensure adequate funding for supportive services, and invest in training personnel to provide these services.
In conclusion, supportive services are an important part of healthcare that have been shown to improve quality of care, increase access to care, and reduce costs. Despite the evidence for their effectiveness, there are challenges associated with providing supportive services. Healthcare organizations should develop systematic approaches to identifying and addressing patient needs, ensure adequate funding for supportive services, and invest in training personnel to provide these services.
References
Aarons, G. A., & Hurlburt, M. (2011). The effects of case management on health outcomes: A systematic review. Medical Care Research and Review, 68(3), 242-270.
Brennan, K., Kelleher, K., & Gardner, W. (2008). The impact of a community-based supportive service program on child and family outcomes. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 13(3), 152-159.
Hudson, T., & Samsa, G. (2005). Enhancing health outcomes with supportive services. American Journal of Managed Care, 11(10), 614-620.