Data show that graduate-level social work programs do not include specialized clinical training in domestic violence interventions. In health care settings, social workers are viewed as experts on psychosocial issues and, therefore, are often the first responders to intimate partner abuse in patient care. The purpose of this presentation is to describe a collaborative project between a domestic violence advocacy program and social work staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital which designed a social work practice model for domestic violence interventions. The presentation will outline the goals of the project, the social work protocol and practice standards developed, and the implementation strategy, including training plan. Using a quality improvement methodology, changes in social work practice were shown through chart and clinical reviews, domestic violence program utilization, and skill assessments. The presentation will define specific components necessary in order to implement a domestic violence protocol and address the challenges facing social workers to define their role in domestic violence interventions in health care organizations. Information shared in this presentation will benefit social workers and administrators in health care settings.
Learning Objectives: Participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how social workers can design and implement a domestic violence protocol and define their role in domestic violence interventions in health care organizations
Keywords: Social Work Roles, Domestic Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.