Bridging Diagnostic Medicine and Social Care: Integrating Medical Laboratory Services with Social Work to Advance Patient-Centered Outcomes

Abstract

Medical laboratory services are fundamental to clinical decision-making; however, their effectiveness is frequently influenced by social determinants that affect patients’ ability to access, understand, and act upon diagnostic information. This narrative review examines the integration of medical laboratory services with social work support as a patient-centered approach to improving health outcomes across diverse healthcare settings. A structured literature review was conducted across major scientific databases to identify studies published between 2010 and 2024 addressing laboratory-based care, social work interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Evidence suggests that coordinated laboratory–social work models enhance patient understanding of laboratory results, reduce diagnostic-related anxiety, improve adherence to chronic disease monitoring, and strengthen continuity of care. Social work interventions were particularly effective in addressing barriers related to health literacy, financial constraints, transportation challenges, and psychosocial stress, thereby facilitating timely diagnostic follow-up and promoting equitable access to laboratory services. Interdisciplinary collaboration further supported improved communication among healthcare professionals and earlier detection of disease-related complications.

Overall, this review highlights the importance of integrating social work support within laboratory-centered care pathways to address social determinants of health and advance patient-centered outcomes. Healthcare systems are encouraged to adopt interdisciplinary frameworks that align diagnostic excellence with social support services to enhance the quality, equity, and effectiveness of care.