Advancing the Evidence Base for Social Work in Long-Term Care: The Disconnect between Practice and Research

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the research literature relative to social work practice in geriatric long-term care (LTC) settings with the aim of determining the state of the evidence base for practice. Overall, this body of research supports the efficacy of social work services within the context of community-based case management and interdisciplinary models of geriatric intervention; however, there is less evidence of a discipline-specific contribution, particularly in institutional health care settings (e.g., nursing homes and hospitals) where a great number of gerontological social workers are employed. Implications of this review include the need to prioritize research within gerontological social work in order to enhance best practice knowledge and skills in settings where it is most needed.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• long-term care
• social work
• evidence-based practice

Notes

Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, P.L. 100–203, § 4211, 101 Stat. 188 (1989).