CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE UPDATE

NASW Conducts Practice Information Survey

Mirean Coleman, MSW, LICSW, CT
Senior Policy Associate

January 2008

For the first time in nearly a decade, the National Association of Social Workers and more than 70 other health care professional organizations, have worked together to coordinate a comprehensive survey of America’s clinical social workers and other health care professionals.  The survey will collect up-to-date characteristics of practices from virtually all health care disciplines, and be used in efforts to positively influence national decision makers to ensure accurate and fair representation for all health care professionals and patients.

Getting our nation’s policy-makers to understand today’s landscape and the requirements for providing appropriate health care is critical. The data will allow the health care community to articulate the challenges of running a practice that provides expert patient care, while operating a business that is sustainable.  The study results will not only help in the short-term but will allow future generations of clinical social workers to continue providing superior care to their patients.

One particularly important section of the study pertains to practice expenses and the amounts that are attributable to clinical social workers.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have indicated that the results of this study will be used to help determine Medicare payments. The survey  information collected will remain confidential and individuals or entities participating in this research will not be identified. 

Dmrkynetec, a survey firm with extensive experience in the area of healthcare finance, has been retained to administer the survey.  Dmrkynetec will contact randomly selected clinical social workers in order to collect their confidential responses.  Please watch for this survey and complete it thoroughly and accurately.  Your participation will benefit the social work profession.

Questions about the survey may be sent to mcoleman@naswdc.org