The health social work competency rating scale: development of a tool for education and practice

Abstract

Integrating contextual competency frameworks into health social work education and practice can bolster student training and staff supervision strategies. This article describes the iterative development of a Health Social Work Competency Rating Scale (HSWCRS), generated using a competency framework tested through simulation and an iterative research process with healthcare social workers. A modified Delphi method consisting of an e-mail questionnaire, two discussion meetings, and two rounds of classroom-based testing were employed to develop and refine the scale with the participation of clinicians, students, and researchers. The HSWCRS is designed to convey the core competencies required for single-session social work consultations in a healthcare setting by assessing formal elements (such as introduction, validation, cultural inclusiveness, client centredness), use of self (such as self-awareness, positionality), and an overall assessment of knowledge and skills. This scale adds to the competency-based education literature in social work by offering a guide to assess and measure key healthcare social work competencies in a range of educational environments, and has the potential to guide practice in educational and practice settings.

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