Peer reviewed
ERIC Number: EJ725723
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Sep-1
Pages: 11
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1070-5309
EISSN: N/A
Quality of Care in the Social Services: Research Agenda and Methods
McMillen, J. Curtis; Proctor, Enola K.; Megivern, Deborah; Striley, Catherine Woodstock; Cabassa, Leopoldo J.; Munson, Michelle R.; Dickey, Barbara
Social Work Research, v29 n3 p181 Sep 2005
In an era of heightened accountability, remarkably little is known empirically about the quality of social work services. This article applies insights from health services research to propose a research agenda on the quality of care in the social services. The agenda calls for studies that address the definition of quality service, variations in quality, the relationship between quality service and outcomes, structural influences on quality, and ways to improve quality. The article also details specialized research methods for implementing this agenda, including the use of administrative data, risk-adjusted outcomes, case vignettes, standardized consumers, and stakeholder preference assessments. Although social work is currently underrepresented in quality research, social workers' research skills, their traditional academic-agency partnerships, and their accent on consumer experiences position the profession to make quick strides in developing the information needed for quality improvement efforts.
Descriptors: Research Methodology, Health Services, Social Support Groups, Social Services, Research Skills, Caseworkers, Social Work, Quality Control, Outcomes of Treatment
National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 750 First Street, NE, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-227-3590 (Toll Free); e-mail: press@naswdc.org; Web site: http://www.naswpress.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A