A Structural Modelling Review of the Social Worker’s Role in Chronic Illness Management

This study investigates the evolving role of social workers in chronic illness management by systematically analyzing the body of published literature using a Structural Topic Model (STM). The purpose of this research is to move beyond traditional narrative reviews by employing a data-driven, computational approach to identify key themes, research foci, and emerging trends in the field. By analyzing abstracts from a wide range of scholarly publications, the study captures both the content and temporal evolution of the literature, providing a comprehensive map of how social workers’ contributions to chronic illness care have been conceptualized, studied, and discussed over time. Expected outcomes include a structured map of research themes, visualizations of topic prevalence over time, and a nuanced understanding of how the role of social workers in chronic illness management is conceptualized in the academic literature. This project not only contributes methodologically by demonstrating the application of STM in health and social care research but also provides a substantive, evidence-based overview to inform practice, education, and policy in the field of chronic illness management.