The Use of Decision Support Systems in Social Work: A Scoping Study Literature Review

Abstract

Decision support systems are known to be helpful for professionals in many medical professions. In social work, decision support systems have had modest use, accompanied by strong criticism from the profession but often by praise from political management. In this study the aim of the authors was to collect and report on the published evidence on decision support systems in social work. The conclusion of the authors is that a decision support system gives support to social workers in conducting a thorough investigation, but at the same time gives them the freedom to make autonomous decisions that might be the most helpful for and used by social workers. Their results also indicate that decision support systems focusing on atypical rather than typical cases are perceived as the most useful among experienced staff.

Keywords::

• Scoping study literature review
• decision support system
• implementation

Notes

^1. Scopus contains publications from 1823 and onward (http://cdn.elsevier.com/assets/pdf_file/0019/148402/contentcoverageguide-jan-2013.pdf); Web of Science contains publications from 1973 and onward (http://thomsonreuters.com/products/ip-science/04_062/wos-next-gen-brochure.pdf); and PsychINFO have publications from 1597 and onwards (http://www.apa.org/pubs/databases/psycinfo/index.aspx).

^2. Savaya (1998) and Savaya and Spiro (1997) refer to the same study.

^3. Gillingham (2011) and Gillingham and Humphreys (2010) refer to the same study.

^4. Savaya, Monnickendam, and Waysman (2006) and Savaya et al. (2004) refer to the same study

^5. Same study.

^6. Savaya (1998) and Savaya and Spiro (1997) refers to the same study.

^7. The articles refer to the same study.

^8. These articles refer to the same study.

^9. The study focused on decisions made by SWs, serving as mental health officers, on whether or not to recommend discharge from compulsory duty in the Israeli army due to mental or emotional difficulties.

^10. Refers to the same study.