Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110202

Jerry Daniel, PhD, Community Medicine, Mercer University School fo Medicine, 1550 College Street, Macon, GA 31027, (478) 301-5129, daniel_jb@mercer.edu

Objective: To determine the role/function of social workers working in traditional public health settings. Additionally, the study sought to gather useful information for social work education programs as well as continuing education efforts.

Methods: A convenience sample was created using a mailing list of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership Training Program. Additionally, questionnaires were sent to directors of social work in the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control, the North Carolina Department of Health and the Alabama Department of Health for distribution to social workers in each state. Given that the study was exploratory, descriptive statistics were used to examine the data. Some bivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between certain variables.

Results: Respondents were largely women (87%) and mostly white (75%). Overall, the majority of the respondents appeared to be fairly comfortable in their social work positions. The study also yielded important findings regarding perceptions of managed care, social work values and continuing education.

Conclusion: Social workers in public health settings believe they are facing major systems changes and considerable unpredictability in their practice settings.

Implications: The data from this study indicate a continued need for graduate schools of social work to further examine the public health content in their curricula. Additionally, some continuing education efforts should be targeted to social workers working in traditional public health settings. Further research is warranted to examine additional issues faced by social workers in public health settings.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List at least five challenges facing social workers in traditional public health settings.
• Discuss the extent to which social work values are promoted in public health settings.
• Discuss the knowledge and skills required for effective social work practice in public health settings.

Keywords: Social Work, Social Work Roles

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.