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Health in all programs: Findings from a national analysis of MSW programs
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Four areas were analyzed: 1) health specializations; 2) health courses; 3) health language on select webpages; and 4) MSW/MPH programs. Areas 1-3 were coded either “wide-lens health” (broad public health framework/conceptualization) or “narrow-lens health” (clinical/medical model framework/conceptualization). Data was available for 222 programs.
Some 55.4% of all schools offered health specializations (n=123) and most were clinically/medically oriented; only 3% had “wide-lens” specializations (n=7). Approximately 93% of schools offered health/health-related courses, but few (19.8%, n=44) reflected the “wide-lens” approach. Beyond courses, the vast majority did not utilize “wide-lens” health language on their webpages (99%; n=220). Finally, MSW/MPH programs were numerous (18.9%; n=42).
Most health content offered by MSW programs portrayed health as an “area of practice,” not an overarching conceptual framework. However, if health reform is to succeed, all professions must shift to “wide-lens” practice aimed at population health. The public health social work framework is especially well-suited to this purpose and can position the profession for leadership.
Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public healthPublic health or related education
Learning Objectives:
Discuss how the Affordable Care Act and health reform raise new questions about the preparation of social work students for practice in health settings.
Evaluate how schools of social work are currently conceptualizing and teaching about health.
Identify strategies for MSW programs to respond to through new health care landscape through innovations which prioritize prevention and public health social work.
Keyword(s): Social Work, Prevention
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a long standing research, practice and educational interest in health social work. This study is a product of my working group: the Group for Public Health Social Work Initiatives.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.