Data collection: are social workers reliable?
Social workers are required to collect a considerable amount of personal information about clients and their families which may be unrelated to direct clinical work. Administrators often use this for the purpose of payment, service documentation, agency planning, and accountability. The worker's concern about the appropriateness of collecting this data may result in poor compliance or even falsification of information. In a survey of Minnesota social workers, noncompliance with data collection requirements was substantial. The authors also found a significant degree of conflict about privacy and confidentiality issues. These findings suggest a basis of concern for those who must rely on accurate data for administrative planning.
Veterans Administration Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
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O'Brien
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McClellan
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Alfs
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003219:Confidentiality; D003625:Data Collection / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006302:Health Services Research; D007256:Information Systems / Q000592:standards; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*; D008910:Minnesota; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012947:Social Work / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires