Educating Social Workers for Practice in Integrated Health Care: A Model Implemented in a Graduate Social Work Program

ABSTRACT

This article introduces a curricular innovation, the Integrated Health Scholars Program (IHSP), developed to prepare master's-level social work students for practice in integrated health care settings, and presents preliminary findings related to students’ self-reported program competencies and perceptions. IHSP, implemented in a research-intensive school of social work in a large midwestern public university, includes specialized course work, interprofessional education across health science disciplines, and field practicum in integrated health care settings. Curricular components support stepwise learning and follows the British Columbia model of interprofessional education learning tiers: exposure, immersion, and skill mastery. Despite IHSPs successful development in a well-resourced, supportive environment, challenges facing our profession's ability to develop and sustain training of MSW students in integrated health care are discussed.

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Notes on contributors

Debra Mattison

Debra Mattison is a Clinical Associate Professor, Addie Weaver is an Assistant Professor, Bradley Zebrack is a Professor of Social Work, and Dan Fischer is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Field Instruction at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Leslie Dubin is an adjunct lecturer at University of Michigan School of Social Work and a member of the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Team at Michigan Medicine.

Addie Weaver

Debra Mattison is a Clinical Associate Professor, Addie Weaver is an Assistant Professor, Bradley Zebrack is a Professor of Social Work, and Dan Fischer is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Field Instruction at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Leslie Dubin is an adjunct lecturer at University of Michigan School of Social Work and a member of the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Team at Michigan Medicine.

Brad Zebrack

Debra Mattison is a Clinical Associate Professor, Addie Weaver is an Assistant Professor, Bradley Zebrack is a Professor of Social Work, and Dan Fischer is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Field Instruction at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Leslie Dubin is an adjunct lecturer at University of Michigan School of Social Work and a member of the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Team at Michigan Medicine.

Dan Fischer

Debra Mattison is a Clinical Associate Professor, Addie Weaver is an Assistant Professor, Bradley Zebrack is a Professor of Social Work, and Dan Fischer is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Field Instruction at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Leslie Dubin is an adjunct lecturer at University of Michigan School of Social Work and a member of the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Team at Michigan Medicine.

Leslie Dubin

Debra Mattison is a Clinical Associate Professor, Addie Weaver is an Assistant Professor, Bradley Zebrack is a Professor of Social Work, and Dan Fischer is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Field Instruction at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Leslie Dubin is an adjunct lecturer at University of Michigan School of Social Work and a member of the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Team at Michigan Medicine.