TY - JOUR
T1 - Recognizing the importance of aging skills and knowledge in generalist social work practice
T2 - Effective strategies for MSW students
AU - Bonifas, Robin
AU - Fredriksen-Goldsen, Karen I.
AU - Bailey, Kathleen A.
N1 - Funding Information:
With generous funding and support from the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Council on Social Work Education, the Gerontology Enrichment in Social Work Education project (GeroRich) has enabled several schools of social work across the country to enhance the gerontological content present in their curricula. This article describes the format and results of one GeroRich project implemented at a large, urban university. The primary goal of the curricular infusion evaluation project was to examine MSW students’ interests and perceived needs related to gerontological practice, and to assess the impact of a three-tiered infusion strategy to integrate gerontological practice issues into social work education.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This article examines the impact of a curricular infusion strategy aimed at integrating gerontological practice issues into social work education. Findings (N = 83) illustrate that student interest, knowledge, and skills in aging practice increased immediately following implementation of a three-tiered infusion approach; however, ongoing exposure to gerontology in and out of the classroom appears necessary to sustain students' interest in working with older adults over time. Although the majority of students endorsed aging issues as important to social work in general, many did not understand its relevance to their own careers. Next steps are outlined to enable students to make this important connection.
AB - This article examines the impact of a curricular infusion strategy aimed at integrating gerontological practice issues into social work education. Findings (N = 83) illustrate that student interest, knowledge, and skills in aging practice increased immediately following implementation of a three-tiered infusion approach; however, ongoing exposure to gerontology in and out of the classroom appears necessary to sustain students' interest in working with older adults over time. Although the majority of students endorsed aging issues as important to social work in general, many did not understand its relevance to their own careers. Next steps are outlined to enable students to make this important connection.
KW - Curricular change
KW - Gerontological social work practice
KW - Gerontology
KW - Social work education
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70450252036&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=70450252036&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02701960903133455
DO - 10.1080/02701960903133455
M3 - Article
C2 - 19697184
AN - SCOPUS:70450252036
SN - 0270-1960
VL - 30
SP - 205
EP - 225
JO - Gerontology and Geriatrics Education
JF - Gerontology and Geriatrics Education
IS - 3
ER -