An innovative program in social work education

This paper is a report of an innovative program in social work education to enrich field supervisors and students with the latest theories and practices related to social work practice in health care settings. This program consists of a study day organized jointly by academic faculty, field supervisors, and students, conducted once a year between 1997 and 2001 in two universities in Israel. Each study day focused on a subject relevant to social work practice in health care settings, such as laws regarding patients' rights, short-term therapy, case management, and quality of life. To examine participants' feedback about the program, an evaluation was conducted after each study day with 104 students studying for their BA in Social Work and 49 field supervisors. A questionnaire was distributed to all the participants at the end of the study day. Most of the participants indicated that the program contributed to the integration of social work theory and practice. Students in the second and third years of study reported the greatest benefit. This innovative program can complement the traditional fieldwork program in social work education.