From March 2002 NASW NEWS
Copyright ©2002, National Association of Social Workers, Inc.

NASW Unit Releases Seven Practice Updates

One update deals with technology and social work practice.

By John V. O'Neill, MSW, NEWS Staff

Senior staff associates in NASW's Professional Development and Advocacy Division have produced seven practice updates to give social workers information and tools they can use in their practice.

An update written by Mirean Coleman discusses technology and social work practice. "Using Technology in the Practice of Clinical Social Work" answers ethical and technical questions concerning the use of cellular telephones, answering machines, facsimile machines and computers. For example, it says that to protect client confidentiality, wireless and cordless telephones should not be used with clients because the devices have radio transmitters that make it easy for calls to be intercepted, intentionally or inadvertently.

Two of the updates, written by Lisa Yagoda, address aging issues:

• "End-of-Life Care for Older Clients: What Social Workers Should Know About the Medicare Hospice Benefit" reports that anyone eligible for Medicare Part A is also eligible for hospice care, yet 90 percent of middle-aged or older Americans don't know that Medicare pays for hospice, and 75 percent don't know that care can be provided in the home. Eligibility and services covered are outlined.
• "National Family Caregiver Support Program" gives specifics of this program, which was part of the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in 2000.

The other updates include:

• "The National Association of Social Workers' Role with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)," written by Rita Webb, explains the role of NCQA and the measures it uses to accredit organizations that employ many social workers.
• "Overview of HIPAA Administrative Simplification Provisions," by Nancy Bateman, offers an overview of administrative-simplification requirements and resources to assist social workers as they familiarize themselves with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provisions and prepare for compliance.
• "The National Association of Social Workers' Role in the Promotion of Equitable International Development: Working to Give Social Workers a Voice," by Leticia Diaz, describes how NASW, in partnership with national and international associations, contributes to defining the role of the social work profession in the international arena.

Updates at: www.socialworkers.org/practice/

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