Clinical social work and peer review: a professional leap ahead.

Abstract

been involved with peer review throughout the 1970s and 1980s: sitting on peer review committees in hospitals and institutions, serving as associates on PSRO Committees, and participating in programs funded by Title XX. Peer re view is one of the procedures of quality assurance, which is the process designed to increase the probability that the serv ices received by clients will be adequate and appropriate and that they will be delivered in sufficient quantity.1 In 1977, Blue Shield, in negotiating ven dorship, demanded peer review capability of social workers. In response, the California Chapter of the National Associa tion of Social Workers (NASW) appointed a peer review committee. This committee developed procedures and began hearing cases. In 1979, Utah's legislature amended the social work licensing law to add both the title clinical social worker and the peer review process.