ABSTRACT

Multiple stakeholders are impacted by the quality and efficacy of MSW education and training, the most important of which are the clients and communities whom social workers serve. Unfortunately, a persistent gap between MSW education and translation and applicability into practice post-graduation has been identified. The current stakeholder feedback project was undertaken as part of a Canadian School of Social Work community-engaged approach to curriculum review and development. Seven focus groups were conducted with 53 stakeholders, representing MSW faculty and staff, students newly entering the program, students nearing graduation, alumni, field instructors, employers of graduates, and the provincial regulatory college. Stakeholders were invited to share their perspectives on various elements of the MSW program and experience, including knowledge and skills training. A qualitative content analysis of feedback shared across stakeholders highlighted three overarching themes associated with knowledge and skills training: 1) required knowledge, 2) required skills, and 3) site of learning. Considerations for those involved in MSW curriculum development, review, and evaluation are proposed and discussed; with an emphasis on the importance of bridging the gap between theory and practice.

摘要

多个利益相关者受到 MSW 教育和培训的质量和效果的影响，其中最重要的是社会工作者服务的客户和社区。不幸的是，已经确定了 MSW 教育与翻译和毕业后实践适用性之间的持续差距。目前的利益相关者反馈项目是作为加拿大社会工作学院社区参与课程审查和开发方法的一部分进行的。由 53 个利益相关者组成的七个焦点小组，代表 MSW 教职员工、新进入该项目的学生、即将毕业的学生、校友、现场指导员、毕业生雇主和省级监管学院。邀请利益相关者分享他们对 MSW 计划和经验的各个要素的看法，包括知识和技能培训。对利益相关者共享的反馈进行的定性内容分析突出了与知识和技能培训相关的三个总体主题：1) 所需知识，2) 所需技能，以及 3) 学习场所。提出并讨论了参与 MSW 课程开发、审查和评估的人员的注意事项；强调弥合理论与实践之间差距的重要性。