Educating Social Workers for Health Care’s Brave New World

Abstract

A transforming health care system challenges educators to formulate curriculum that is relevant and anticipates evolving expectations and demands. This article reviews key features of the changing health care landscape, describes a Centers for Disease Control funded prototypical social work practice model designed to fit the contours of that landscape, and suggests five fundamental principles to guide successful adaptation of social work health care practice and educational preparation. Curricular implications of these principles are discussed.