Rush University: Implementing the Ambulatory Integration of the Medical and Social (AIMS) Model
This project provides Rush University Medical Center interprofessional providers, residents, and students an opportunity to work collaboratively to best meet the needs of their patients. At partner clinics, any member on the care team can place referrals to the Rush Health and Aging Department (RHA) for social work follow-up if they identify their patient (18+, public or private payer) has a psychosocial need or is facing barriers to following their health care plan. The social worker provides wrap-around supports that engage various interprofessional healthcare and service providers in ensuring a patient’s range of biopsychosocial needs are addressed. This collaboration will reinforce the paradigm shift within primary care of treating a patient holistically, and the inclusion of social work students and medical residents in this project is significant because it exposes them to important practices and competencies in integrating primary care with care management and psychosocial supports.
