Amy’s Life in Brief

So, I worked today and I’m sitting here wondering if I made a mistake in not asking a question. Part of my job entails meeting with patients from the health system’s outpatient clinics (like the physician’s offices, diabetes education clinic, wound care clinic, anticoagulation clinic, ambulatory infusion among others). As an outpatient social worker I’m supposed to provide brief therapy, help locating resources and other problem solving assistance. So, I was meeting with a woman who has no insurance and has a couple of serious and chronic medical conditions. I was helping her complete the forms for our health system’s financial and prescription assistance programs. We were discussing her condition and she mentioned she wasn’t taking birth control because of the possibility that doing so would aggravate one of her medical problems.

Now, I’m wondering if I should have asked her what exactly she was doing for birth control. Certainly given her financial situation, having a baby would not be the past course of action. And I can’t even imagine how complicated her pregnancy would be given her medical situation. I’m wondering if I missed an opportunity at education (I did safe sex education in a former job) or if it was best that I didn’t delve into that subject since the client didn’t seem to be too concerned. I could always call her and follow up, but don’t want her to be offended. Hmmmm…what’s the right way to approach it???