Research in social work practice: benefits of and obstacles to implementation in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Although research is an important part of social work practice in health care, there is little systematic information that sheds light on research productivity, the benefits of conducting research, or the obstacles that must be overcome. This article represents the viewpoints of nearly all the directors of social services departments in the largest multihospital system in the United States, the Department of Veterans Affairs. The organizational characteristics of hospitals and the attitudes of the directors about research were important correlates of research productivity. Although lack of time, resources, and interest were cited as common obstacles, more than one-third of the departments were conducting or involved in at least one study. Information about the research efforts of other social services departments was considered an important resource, particularly for departments with no ongoing studies. The implications of these findings for social work research in health care are discussed.
Cook
C A
CA
George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130.
Freedman
J A
JA
Evans
R L
RL
Rodell
D
D
Taylor
R M
RM
D001290:Attitude; D004526:Efficiency; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D012947:Social Work; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data