Teaching Note—Preparing Social Workers for the Digital Future of Social Work Practice

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ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an abrupt shift in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in practice. The pre-pandemic use of informal ICT was already ubiquitous in social work practice. The purpose of this teaching note is to highlight that social work education must prepare students for practice using ICT during COVID-19 and beyond. Incorporated are findings from an international study on informal ICT use before COVID-19, which confirmed its ubiquity in social work, underscoring the need to educate and prepare social workers to use ICTs. Six knowledge areas important for social work education related to ICT use are discussed: integrating theoretical foundations; ethical considerations; confidentially and documentation; access and equity; risk assessment and management; and supervision and policy.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the commitment of the participating agencies in recruiting staff and clients, and we thank the individuals who took part in the interviews.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Faye Mishna

Faye Mishna, PhD, MSW, is professor at the University of Toronto. Jane E. Sanders, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at King’s University College at Western University. Karen M. Sewell, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at Carleton University. Elizabeth Milne is a research coordinator at the University of Toronto.

Jane E. Sanders

Faye Mishna, PhD, MSW, is professor at the University of Toronto. Jane E. Sanders, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at King’s University College at Western University. Karen M. Sewell, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at Carleton University. Elizabeth Milne is a research coordinator at the University of Toronto.

Karen M. Sewell

Faye Mishna, PhD, MSW, is professor at the University of Toronto. Jane E. Sanders, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at King’s University College at Western University. Karen M. Sewell, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at Carleton University. Elizabeth Milne is a research coordinator at the University of Toronto.

Elizabeth Milne

Faye Mishna, PhD, MSW, is professor at the University of Toronto. Jane E. Sanders, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at King’s University College at Western University. Karen M. Sewell, PhD, MSW, RSW, is assistant professor at Carleton University. Elizabeth Milne is a research coordinator at the University of Toronto.