National Association of Social Workers

New Internet Tools Changing Practice

Clients Are Also Affected by New Technologies

Social workers must stay up-to-date on ways technology is affecting practice.

By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

Illustration: John Michael Yanson

Technology continues to advance at an ever-increasing pace. Ten years ago, social workers were exploring new resources and information that were becoming available on Web sites. Today they may have clients with "second lives" interacting in a virtual world through avatars; e-mail has become commonplace; and more and more people are connecting through social networking sites.

With the changes in technology, social workers have had to adapt to changes in their practice and profession. These changes have affected how social workers interact with clients, such as through e-therapy or telemedicine; they have altered how social workers connect and communicate with colleagues, through blogs and Web-based communities; and they have affected the kinds of concerns that social workers are seeing in practice.

E-therapy and telemedicine. Therapy offered over the telephone is not new; it has long been seen as a way for clients in rural areas or with limited mobility to access services, or as an adjunct to face-to-face sessions. But now, other technologies are increasingly available for therapeutic interactions, including real-time chat sessions and online support groups.

A recent "Legal Issue of the Month" article published by NASW's Legal Defense Fund noted that many technology-based methods "have not been subjected to the rigors of scientific research as to their efficacy." To help guide social workers in the use of technology in practice, NASW and the Association of Social Work Boards published in 2005 Standards for Technology and Social Work Practice.

The standards detail some critical issues that should be addressed by social workers, such as, "Many technologies are powerful but fragile; crucial information can be lost or intercepted; not all Web sites providing information are reliable; service providers can easily misrepresent themselves and their credentials online; confidentiality in an electronic medium can quickly evaporate," and other concerns.

The standards address issues such as ethics, cultural competence, privacy and security, and technical competencies. For example, the standards note that "social workers should retain a qualified supervisor or consultant for technology concerns that may arise. When using technology for client services, proper training should be obtained to become familiar with the technologies being used."

Click here for full story…> >

From November 2007 NASW News. © 2007 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.