Social Services

The Center provides clinical social work services to patients and families who find themselves faced with challenges related to sickle cell disease. 

Clinical social workers help with a variety of issues including:

  • Emotional and psychological distress
  • Grief, loss & bereavement
  • Difficult family or social situations
  • Medical crisis and adjustment to illness
  • Substance abuse assessment and referral
  • Family violence & abuse
  • Guardianship

Clinical social workers also provide case management services, such as:

  • Assist with social security benefits application process
  • Medicaid application process
  • Medication and transportation services

All new patients are screened by the sickle cell clinical social worker by telephone prior to being seen by the provider.  In order to speak to the Adult Sickle Cell clinical social worker, you may call the Sickle Cell office or make a request with the nursing staff or receptionist in Clinics 2N and 2A.  Established patients may also make an appointment to see the social worker on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Duke Sickle Cell Center has a resource book available for patients to review. Click here to learn more.

The North Carolina Sickle Cell Syndrome Program also has a number of resources.