Grade One Seminar: A Supportive Approach to Improve the Knowledge, Skills and Confidence of Hospital Social Workers

Transcription

1 Grade One Seminar: A Supportive Approach to Improve the Knowledge, Skills and Confidence of Hospital Social Workers Jasbinder Singh and Louisa Whitwam Senior Social Workers, Peninsula Health

2 Introduction The aims of this presentation are: 1) Present a background of the issue: A need for a creative education program for new staff within our department 2) Present our research methods and results 3) Highlight our findings and recommendations, and; 4) Answer questions from the audience

3 Background Peninsula Health acute and sub-acute Social Work Department is overseen by a Chief Social Worker and is operationally managed by four Senior Clinicians located across four campuses: 1) Frankston Hospital (Acute) 2) Golf Links Road Rehabilitation (IPR) 3) The Mornington Centre (GEM) 4) Rosebud Hospital (Acute, IPR, GEM)

4 Background Grade One Social Workers: Total of eight (8) One (1) at Rosebud Hospital One (1) at The Mornington Centre One (1) at Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Five (5) at Frankston Hospital

5 Background Most commonly recruited as new graduates (6 out of 8) Recruitment requires successful applicants to have at least completed a hospital placement Grade one social workers receive at least one hour of supervision per fortnight

6 The issue Competencies: How do we assess? How do we teach? Professional Development: Minimising duplication for more experienced clinicians and linking PD to competencies Peer support and team development: Providing an opportunity for Grade one social workers to discuss common experiences

7 Grade One Seminars Series of Seminars conducted. 3 Key areas evaluated: Knowledge, Skills and Confidence. Building in core hospital social work competencies. Delivered within a peer-led framework.

8 Commencement Conducted monthly. Attended by all available grade one staff within Peninsula Health. Facilitators: 2 senior social workers. A small number of sessions were cofacilitated by non departmental professionals.

9 Sessions: Aged Care Assessments Cognition Complaints Guardianship and Administration Medical Record Documentation Grief and Loss Family Meetings and Advance Care Planning (not evaluated)

10 Pre and Post Data Collection Pre-session Questionnaire Completed by each participant to indicate their self-assessment of knowledge, skill level and confidence prior to the topic being presented. Post-session Questionnaire Completed by each participant to indicate and demonstrate any significant improvements in clinician knowledge, skill and confidence post session.

11 Evaluation Through the data that was evaluated, it was evident that the seminars proved to be: A supportive and informal means of education, Peer support, Supervision and Development of competencies for recent graduates and grade one clinicians within the Social Work Department.

12 Evaluation Aged Care Assessments Average Scores Pre vs. Post Session

13 Evaluation Cognition Average Scores Pre vs. Post Session

14 Evaluation Complaints Average Scores Pre vs. Post Session

15 Evaluation Guardianship and Administration Average Score Pre vs. Post Session

16 Evaluation Medical Record Documentation Average Scores Pre vs. Post Session

17 Evaluation Grief and Loss Average Score Pre vs. Post Session

18 Summary of Participants Experiences Comments from participants expressed that they found the following aspects of the sessions most helpful: Practical workshop style with small numbers Opportunities to discuss case studies and practice experiences and gain an understanding of alternate settings (acute vs sub-acute)

19 Summary of Participants Experiences Supportive environment with peers and senior clinician assists in developing trust and increases confidence Interactive and topic-focussed sessions that are of key interest to grade one social workers Good team-building exercise

20 Recommendations Preparation is required, but the sessions were most effective when semi-structured Reinforce the value of the seminars widely across the department to promote a positive attitude toward the sessions Consider non-department presenters or guest speakers, but ensure that they are briefed on the need to be informal and flexible, and to keep to time

21 Jasbinder Singh Louisa Whitwam

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