Ní Raghallaigh, MuireannMuireannNí RaghallaighAllen, MaryMaryAllenCunniffe, RosemaryRosemaryCunniffeQuin, SuzanneSuzanneQuin2014-02-282014-11-202013, Tayl2013-11-20Social Work in Health Carehttp://hdl.handle.net/10197/5427This article presents the findings of research conducted with social workers in primary health care teams in Ireland. Data from questionnaires and from a focus group were analysed. The findings draw attention to the nature of the role of the primary care social worker, including both the satisfying and challenging aspects of this role. It was evident that the participants liked the generic nature of their role and the fact that they worked with non-mandated clients. However, they encountered challenges related to resources, management structures and interdisciplinary work. The findings shed light on an area of social work that has been underresearched.enThis is an electronic version of an article published in Social Work in Health Care Vol. 52, Iss. 10, 2013. Social Work in Health Care is available online at: www.tandfonline.com//doi/abs/10.1080/00981389.2013.834030Primary careSocial WorkHealthIrelandJournal Article521093094610.1080/00981389.2013.8340302014-02-12https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/