Betty J. Ruth

Multicultural Content and Class Participation: Do Students Self-Censor?

This article presents data from an exploratory study on class participation and student self-censorship. The impetus for this research is concern that content on multiculturalism and oppression inhibits open debate and dialogue, a form of suppression that conservatives term “political correctness.” Through survey and focus group data, the authors examine student discomfort in social work courses, reasons for self-censorship, and solutions to self-censorship. Results suggest that general classroom factors (being too shy or being unprepared), not political correctness, were more likely to be reasons for self-censorship. Solutions focused on the faculty’s role in creating safe and affirming classroom environments.

You Can't Recover From Suicide: Perspectives on Suicide Education in MSW Programs

Suicide is a profound worldwide public health problem that has received increased attention in recent years. The major federal response, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, calls for more suicide education for mental health professionals, including social workers. Little is known about the amount of suicide education in MSW curricula nationwide. This study presents quantitative findings from 2 national surveys of MSW deans and directors and of MSW faculty on suicide education and qualitative findings from a series of faculty focus groups. Results suggest that MSW students receive 4 or fewer hours of suicide education in graduate school, and most deans and faculty do not have plans to increase suicide content. Barriers include lack of faculty expertise, crowded curricula, and other educational priorities. Implications are discussed.

Public Health and Social Work: Training Dual Professionals for the Contemporary Workplace

Objectives. The emergence of new, complex social health concerns demands that the public health field strengthen its capacity to respond. Academic institutions are vital to improving the public health infrastructure. Collaborative and transdisciplinary practice competencies are increasingly viewed as key components of public health training. The social work profession, with its longstanding involvement in public health and emphasis on ecological approaches, has been a partner in many transdisciplinary community-based efforts. The more than 20 dual-degree programs in public health and social work currently offered reflect this collaborative history. This study represents an exploratory effort to evaluate the impact of these programs on the fields of public health and social work. Methods. This study explored motivations, perspectives, and experiences of 41 graduates from four master of social work/master of public health (MSW/MPH) programs. Four focus groups were conducted using traditional qualitative methods during 2004. Results. Findings suggest that MSW/MPH alumni self-selected into dual programs because of their interest in the missions, ethics, and practices of both professions. Participants highlighted the challenges and opportunities of dual professionalism, including the struggle to better define public health social work in the workplace. Conclusions. Implications for academic public health focus on how schools can improve MSW/MPH programs to promote transdisciplinary collaboration. Increased recognition, better coordination, and greater emphasis on marketing to prospective employers were suggested. A national evaluation of MSW/MPH graduates could strengthen the roles and contributions of public health social work to the public health infrastructure. A conceptual framework, potentially based on developmental theory, could guide this evaluation of the MSW/MPH training experience.

TEACHING NOTES: SOCIAL WORK AND PUBLIC HEALTH: COMPARING GRADUATES FROM A DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAM

This study compared dual-degree master of social work/master of public health (MSW/MPH) and MSW-only graduates with 3 or more years of postgraduate experience. Thirty graduates from an MSW/MPH program were matched with 30 MSW-only graduates. All subjects were randomly selected from the alumni directory and interviewed via telephone. Results showed few differences between the groups, including no significant salary differences. Both groups enjoyed high career satisfaction and were similar on measures of social work professionalism. More research is needed to study the experiences of MSW/MPH professionals and their impact on the field of social work.

Patient Navigation for Mothers with Depression who Have Children in Head Start: A Pilot Study

This study assesses the potential of social work–facilitated patient navigation to help mothers with depression engage with mental health care. We conducted a randomized pilot trial (N = 47) in Head Start—a U.S. preschool program for low-income children. Seven lay navigators received training and supervision from professional social workers. After 6 months, more navigated participants engaged with a psychologist, therapist, or social worker (45% vs. 13%, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2, 57]); engaged with any provider, (55% vs. 26%, 95% CI [1, 56]); and reported having a “depression care provider” (80% vs. 41%, 95% CI [9, 65]). Community-based navigation appears feasible; however, more definitive testing is necessary.

Prevention in Social Work Scholarship: A Content Analysis of Families in Society 2000-2010 (Research Note)

Powerful issues, including persistent health inequalities, increasing chronic disease rates, and health reform, have reignited a national conversation on the need for prevention. Despite social works commitment to promoting well-being, little is known about its involvement in prevention and the extent to which prevention is present in the professional literature. For the present study, a content analysis of Families in Society from 2000 to 2010 was undertaken. Of 649 articles reviewed, 9.2% (n = 60) met the criteria of prevention articles, and a significant increase of prevention content was observed. While still a minority interest area, there appears to be welcome growth of prevention in Families in Society. This important emergent prevention scholarship will help broaden the professions impact on the many public health issues facing 21st-century families.

Social Work Continuing Education: A Statewide Case Study.

ABSTRACT This article presents findings from a 2013 qualitative study of social work continuing education (CE) in Massachusetts. Eleven focus groups were conducted with 75 participants from key stakeholder groups: practitioners, educators, licensing board members, and agency administrators. Although positive perspectives surfaced—such as diversity of CE options—thematic analysis nonetheless reflected considerable frustration with the current system. CE concerns included lack of access, cost, missing CE content areas, quality control issues, and lack of employer support. Participants also noted the need for enhanced transfer of CE-derived knowledge and skills in the workplace. Greater attention to this crucial aspect of professional development is therefore needed.

Mapping Dual-Degree Programs in Social Work and Public Health: Results From a National Survey

Dramatic changes in the health system due to national health reform are raising important questions regarding the educational preparation of social workers for the new health arena. While dual-degree programs in public health and social work can be an important response to what is needed educationally, little is known about them. The National MSW/MPH Programs Study surveyed MSW/MPH program administrators to better understand the prevalence, models, structure, and challenges of these dual-degree programs. Forty-two programs were identified, and 97.6% of those contacted participated (n=41). Findings indicate that MSW/MPH programs are popular, increasing, geographically dispersed, and drawing talented students interested in trans-disciplinary public health social work practice. Challenges for these programs include the need for greater institutional support, particularly funding, and a general lack of best practices for MSW/MPH education. While findings from this study suggest graduates appear especially well-prepared for leadership and practice in the new health environment, additional research is needed to assess their particular contributions and career trajectories.

Teaching Note--Educating Public Health Social Work Professionals: Results from an MSW/MPH Program Outcomes Study.

Dual-degree programs in public health and social work continue to proliferate, yet there has been little research on master’s of social work (MSW)/master’s of public health (MPH) graduates. The purpose of this study was to describe and better understand the self-reported professional experiences, identities, roles, and outcomes associated with 1 group of graduates from an established MSW/MPH program. A 57-question electronic survey was administered to 214 alumni in 2010; the response rate was 71.4% (n = 153). Findings provide a snapshot of public health social work alumni experiences, including diverse employment opportunities, high career satisfaction, and a strong sense of reported public health and social work integration in the workplace.

A History of Social Work in Public Health

Social work is a core health profession with origins deeply connected to the development of contemporary public health in the United States. Today, many of the nations 600 000 social workers practice broadly in public health and in other health settings, drawing on a century of experience in combining clinical, intermediate, and population approaches for greater health impact. Yet, the historic significance of this long-standing interdisciplinary collaboration-and its current implications-remains underexplored in the present era. This article builds on primary and contemporary sources to trace the historic arc of social work in public health, providing examples of successful collaborations. The scope and practices of public health social work practice are explored, and we articulate a rationale for an expanded place for social work in the public health enterprise.