Dialysis Social Work, Professional Practice, and Social Work Education

Authors

  • Diane C. Holliman, PhD, LCSW
  • Christopher O. Downing Jr., PhD
  • Sarah P. Chambers, LMSW
  • Beth Hebert, LMSW
  • Paige Murphy, LMSW

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61658/jnsw.v47i1.85

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify tasks, setting characteristics, and practice barriers encountered by dialysis social workers in order to inform social work education. Through convenience sampling, 62 dialysis social workers from the United States completed a 31-item survey. Findings revealed that 45 of the 62 respondents (72.5%) indicated that they had minimal or no supervision, and only six (9.7%) had supervisors who were social workers. Respondents reported high caseloads, role confusion, and role ambiguity in this setting. Recommendations for social work education include: strengthening content on healthcare social work in all specializations, and emphasizing leadership and autonomy in practice, ethical decision making, professional advocacy, and policy practice.

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Published

2024-01-01

How to Cite

Holliman, PhD, LCSW, D. C., Downing Jr., PhD, C. O., Chambers, LMSW, S. P., Hebert, LMSW, B., & Murphy, LMSW, P. (2024). Dialysis Social Work, Professional Practice, and Social Work Education. The Journal of Nephrology Social Work, 47(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.61658/jnsw.v47i1.85

Issue

Vol. 47 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Original Research