The relationship of knowledge, skill and confidence in hospital social work practice

This study is concerned with the characteristics of competent performance in hospital social work practice. The study investigates the knowledge and skill of masters level hospital social workers and examines the correlations between practitioner knowledge, skill and practitioner confidence. Confidence is represented in the study by the construct of self-efficacy which is conceptually and empirically related to competence.;There are a number of compelling reasons for studying competence in hospital social work. These include its importance as a professional field of practice; the changes in contemporary health care and their effect on hospital social work practice; the accelerated demands of the health care industry and the concurrent focus of social work education and the profession on practice competence; concerns about the preparation of hospital social work practitioners; and, limitations in social work's definition and articulation of the knowledge required for hospital social work practice. By investigating the knowledge and skill dimensions of competent performance, the study supports the profession's efforts to maintain and promote the role of social work in health care.;This exploratory, cross-sectional study seeks to determine whether or not there is an association between knowledge, skills, and confidence among hospital social workers. The study utilized a convenience sample of 102 M.S.W. prepared hospital social workers drawn from ten hospitals in the New York City metropolitan area and measured the extent of their hospital social work knowledge, use of social work skills, and confidence in performing hospital social work tasks. The research also measured the variables of age, supervision, and experience.;The findings of the study demonstrate significant associations between knowledge and confidence and between skill and confidence. The analysis also found associations between confidence and experience, between individual supervision and knowledge, and between experience and knowledge. The study's findings are discussed as are their implications for self-efficacy theory, research on competence in hospital social work; professional development and continuing education needs for social work in health care; the relationship between schools of social work and health care organizations; and, the strengthening of social work practice in hospital settings.