Utilizing a Required Documentation Course to Improve the Recording Skills of Undergraduate Social Work Students

    Authors

    A. M. Leon;J. Pepe

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Soc. Serv. Res.

    Keywords

    Social work documentation; record keeping; social work notes; documentation course; MANAGED CARE; RISK-MANAGEMENT; HEALTH; Social Work

    Abstract

    Baccalaureate social workers respond to documentation and record-keeping demands of regulatory organizations that oversee or fund social service agencies. Learning to accurately document client needs, progress, and service delivery outcomes is important in ensuring that clients are receiving effective services. Despite the importance of documentation skills, many undergraduate social work programs do not provide sufficient curriculum content on client record keeping. The authors report the results of a study that examined changes in baccalaureate social work students' perceptions of their documentation skills after completing a required documentation course. The sample size included 101 students at pretest and 97 students completing the post-test. Statistically significant findings show students perceived an increase in knowledge in three areas of documentation: 1) formats, 2) content, and 3) writing skills. The authors discuss implications for social work education and practice.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Social Service Research

    Volume

    36

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    362

    Last Page

    376

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000280531000007

    ISSN

    0148-8376

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