Academic Journal
Identifying Practice Needs among Rural Social Workers: Gaps between Perceived Importance and Confidence.
| Τίτλος: | Identifying Practice Needs among Rural Social Workers: Gaps between Perceived Importance and Confidence. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Lee M; Mingun Lee, PhD, is professor, Department of Social Work, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Morton Hall 557, 24 Race Street, Athens, OH 45701, USA., Park A; Aaron Park, PhD, is assistant professor, Department of Social Work, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA. |
| Πηγή: | Social work [Soc Work] 2026 Oct 01; Vol. 71 (4), pp. 375-383. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 2984852R Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1545-6846 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00378046 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Soc Work Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: <2012-> : Cary, NC : Oxford University Press Original Publication: New York : National Association of Social Workers |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Social Workers*/psychology , Rural Health Services* , Social Work* , Needs Assessment* , Professional Competence*, Humans ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Ohio ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rural Population |
| Περίληψη: | Rural social workers often serve in complex, resource-limited environments that demand a broad range of competencies. This study explored how practitioners in Ohio assess their preparedness to apply essential generalist and advanced practice skills by identifying gaps between perceived importance and confidence, termed "practice needs." A statewide online survey of licensed social workers (N = 155) was conducted using disproportionate stratified sampling to ensure representation of rural practitioners. Respondents rated 20 core practice skills and provided demographic and work environment data. The most significant practice needs were found in cultural competence, knowledge of community resources, maintaining work-life balance, engaging in research-informed practice, and trauma treatment. These gaps suggest areas where rural practitioners feel underprepared despite recognizing the importance of these skills. Regression analyses indicated that full-time employment and hybrid work arrangements were associated with higher practice needs, pointing to the influence of workload and modality complexity. The findings emphasize the need for targeted professional development that integrates both foundational and specialized competencies. Enhancing education, supervision, and workforce support can improve practitioner confidence and service delivery in underserved rural areas. This study contributes to broader efforts to strengthen rural social work through competency-based training and workforce resilience. (© 2026 National Association of Social Workers.) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: practice needs; practice skills; professional confidence; rural social work |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260820 Date Completed: 20260921 Latest Revision: 20260921 |
| Update Code: | 20260921 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/sw/swag043 |
| PMID: | 42623512 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
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