Adapting Social Work Practice to Support Vulnerable Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview: Presenters will describe findings from a survey distributed to social workers throughout the U.S. at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting experiences of practitioners in mental health, hospice, and higher education. Discussion will explore ongoing concerns for groups disproportionately impacted and populations for whom COVID-19 remains a continuing threat.Proposal text: A university social work research team developed an online survey for social worker practitioners throughout the United States, distributed in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey questions were designed to identify (1) Concerns clients and students experienced as a result of the pandemic, (2) strengths/resilience factors for clients and students during the pandemic, and (3) the personal and professional impact of the pandemic on social workers. The questionnaire was circulated through the National Association of Social Workers’ MyNASW listserv and other social media sites resulting in a total of 198 responses for licensed social workers currently active in their practice.

Following researchers’ examination of the data, themes were discussed and generated collaboratively. Examination of different sub-sections of the data has resulted in four publications on the topics of mental health, hospice, social work education, and ethics. Findings and suggestions for each of these will be described, followed by discussion of ongoing concerns for groups disproportionately impacted and populations for whom COVID-19 remains a continuing threat.

Sixty survey respondents indicated that they practiced in the area of either “mental health” and/or work with “individuals.” Within open-ended responses for this group, the following themes were developed: technology and telehealth (limitations and benefits), client challenges (mental health impacts and increased stressors), clients’ personal resilience and outside supports, and professional and personal impacts for practitioners.

Twenty hospice practitioners responded to the survey. Four main challenges were identified for hospice patients and their families at the onset of the pandemic. These included: isolation, barriers to communication, disruption of systems, and issues related to grieving. Strengths for this population during this time were identified as family and community support, adaptation, and perspective.

Sixty-four social work educators responded to the survey. Respondents described challenges related to disruptions in traditional field education and coursework, student well-being, and issues related to decision making in university administration or government. Findings indicated the following sources of strength as well: adaptive responses to adversity, supportive skills and practices, and external supports.

Even as the danger of COVID-19 wanes for the general population, people with serious health conditions will remain susceptible due to weakened immune systems, and other vulnerable populations will continue to face challenges due to the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic. Researchers for these studies will present practice and policy suggestions for supporting both clients and students who are at increased risk or otherwise continue to be impacted by COVID-19. As many individuals during this time were seriously impacted by a lack of access to technology and connectivity, which became crucial for communication with friends/family and continuing school/work during isolation, social workers must strive to address accessibility issues through organization and advocacy, and lessen the resulting divides that have deepened throughout the pandemic. Finally, some valuable lessons were learned during this time of crisis with many systemic changes likely to endure beyond the pandemic. Following an outline of research findings, presenters will explore these realities along with suggestions for social work practice and policy.