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Statistical Approaches in Medical Social Work: Enhancing Health Surveillance and Evaluating Intervention Outcomes

Tarvie Jacob Jack; Sylvester Chibueze Izah

Greener Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health | Greener Journals | 2025

Paper ID: RQL-PAPER-2026-000083 | DOI: 10.15580/gjeph.2025.1.020425017 | Views: 7

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Publication Date: 2025-01-30 | Volume: 13 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 6-18

Type: Journal article | Discipline: Public Health | Subject Area: - | Language: English

DOI: 10.15580/gjeph.2025.1.020425017

Abstract

Statistical approaches are critical in advancing medical social work, particularly in health surveillance, outbreak detection, and evaluating intervention outcomes. This paper focuses on how integrating advanced statistical methods enhances the effectiveness of medical social work by informing evidence-based practices and improving public health interventions. Using syndromic surveillance and space-time scan statistics has revolutionized monitoring disease outbreaks, enabling timely responses and targeted interventions to mitigate public health threats. These methodologies can also foster data-driven decision-making, allowing medical social workers to tailor interventions based on rigorous evidence and a deeper understanding of patient needs and social determinants of health. However, challenges remain in effectively integrating these tools into practice, including data accessibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the potential for misinterpretation of complex statistical findings. Despite these barriers, the opportunities presented by statistical approaches are vast. They enhance the effectiveness of interventions and contribute to identifying trends and health disparities, enabling more equitable healthcare delivery. As the healthcare background increasingly shifts toward data-driven models, medical social workers must embrace statistical methods to inform their practices and address diverse populations' multifaceted health challenges. The successful incorporation of these methodologies is essential to improving patient outcomes, advocating for vulnerable communities, and promoting health equity.

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Tarvie Jacob Jack; Sylvester Chibueze Izah (2025). Statistical Approaches in Medical Social Work: Enhancing Health Surveillance and Evaluating Intervention Outcomes. Greener Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15580/gjeph.2025.1.020425017
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