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Journal Article 15.1 Delavega, E., Neely-Barnes, S. L., Elswick, S. E., Taylor, L. C., Pettet, F. L., & Landry, M. A. (2018). Preparing social work students for interprofessional team practice in health-care settings. Research on Social Work Practice: 1-7.

Abstract: Purpose: This study presents the results of a workforce development initiative focused on preparing master’s-level social work students to work in interprofessional settings and integrated care. The study examines both trainees’ changes in interprofessional skills and attitudes as well as if there were differences in trainee experiences across race and gender. Method: Ninety-nine trainees participated in a training program and completed pre- and post-test measures on attitudes toward interdisciplinary teams and team skills. The team used multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to examine the change in means and interaction effects. Results: Findings suggest that the training helps trainees acquire interdisciplinary team skills. However, results on attitudes toward interdisciplinary teams varied based on race and gender of the trainees. Discussion: Results suggest that there continue to be disparities in the training experiences of social work trainees around race and gender. Future research needs to continue to focus on this issue.

Learning Objective: 15.4 Learn the skills involved in interprofessional collaboration.  

Journal Article 15.2 Devlieghere, J., & Roose, R. (2018). Electronic information systems: In search of responsive social work. Journal of Social Work, 18(6): 650-665.

Abstract: Summary: The informational context in which social work has been operating over the past decade has gained much more significance. In this context, Electronic Information Systems are often implemented with the aim of being responsive to the needs of children and families. However, research has critically identified some major concerns with using Electronic Information Systems in ways that tend to reduce social work to a technical practice. As a result, practitioners and managers are using their discretion to shape and bend regulations precisely in order to achieve responsive social work practice. In this paper, our aim is to capture the meaning of these strategies for the development of responsive social work. To do so, we interviewed social practitioners working with Electronic Information Systems on a daily basis. Findings: Our results show how practitioners develop a diversity of strategies to recreate the relational aspect of social work, thereby challenging the hypothesis that this was curtailed by the use of Electronic Information Systems. Applications: By fleshing out the meaning of the strategies practitioners use in their daily practice, we aim to contribute to the contemporary debate about the use of these strategies in social work practice. At the same time, it is also important to understand the meaning of these strategies in relation to the development of responsive social work as this development cannot be reduced to a mere relational practice where principles of justice, equality and solidarity are not equally considered.

Learning Objective: 15.5 Appraise the ethics of technology and social work.