A Study Of Hospital Based Social WorkersIn The UK: The Importance Of VerbalCommunication In This Community

Abstract

In a study of hospital based social workers in the UK verbal communication within the community was found to be of high octane value. Nine out of ten social workers sought information on a daily basis from their team managers or other social and healthcare professionals. The use of verbal communication is of paramount importance and defined their particular culture, which is practice and not research based. The study found that the social workers did not think themselves without IT and information searching skills or that they were computer illiterate. The major problem was lack of access to computer facilities and the Internet. These findings were compounded by the fact that the social workers were working in multidisciplinary teams with health professionals who have access to these facilities. Solutions to empower the social workers and reduce the differential in terms of I.T and information provision with healthcare colleagues included: gaining access to on-site library and information services; negotiating Service Level Agreements; and establishing a new role for Information and Library professionals to identify information management, service delivery and training needs.