Determinants of private practice in social work: a survey of Zimbabwean social workers

ABSTRACT

In developing countries like Zimbabwe, the issue of private practice in social work is at a formative stage. This paper explored the opinion of social workers regarding the issue of private practice in social work in the country. Using quantitative research design, data was collected from randomly sampled social workers (n = 462) from various fields of practices. The study findings revealed that the majority (47%) of social workers (n = 218) strongly believed that they ought to venture into private practice. Based on the regression models, the following factors were statistically significant (ρ < .05) in predicting engagement in private practice: desire to expand resource base, quest to create employment, professional empowerment, professional autonomy, improved quality of services, influence from other professions, favorable regulatory environment, desire to reach new clients, existence of wider clientele base, improving professional identity, and knowledge base. The study recommends increased public debates, development of private practice legal framework, and inter-professional collaboration with other professions. The paper concluded that private practice in social work is a welcome initiative among Zimbabwean social workers and there is a need for increased publicity in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• Private practice
• social work
• Zimbabwe
• Africa
• Determinants

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was financially supported by well-wishers and authors of the paper.

Notes on contributors

Taruvinga Muzingili

Taruvinga Muzingili is a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. Research interests include social policy, social work and development, and child protection. He has participated in various social work leadership positions with the National Association of Social Workers, Zimbabwe.

Weston Chidyausiku

Weston Chidyausiku is a lecturer and chairperson in the Department of Social Work at Bindura University of Science Education. His research interests are social work regulation, advocacy, and political participation.

Witness Chikoko

Witness Chikoko Lecturer and Chairperson at the University of Zimbabwe in the Department of Social Work. His research interests are in child protection and developmental social work.

Noel G. Muridzo

Noel G. Muridzo is a lecturer and director of the School of Social Work at Midlands State University. He is also a research associate in the Department of Social Work at the University of Johannesburg. His research interests is in social work regulation, child protection and developmental social welfare.

Florah Takavarasha

Florah N. Takavarasha Lecturer, Midlands State University. Research interests include hospital social work, gender empowerment, and drug and substance abuse.