Information Communication Technology and the Social Worker-Client Relationship: Lessons from Communication Theory (1 credit hour)

Program Summary:  This course uses communication theory to explore the benefits and challenges of communication technology on the social worker-client relationship. The course examines the importance of resolving ethical issues related to ICT use, digital literacy, and social work practice.  The following ethical issues are highlighted: boundaries, client well-being, professional competence, privacy, confidentiality, cultural competence, and social justice.  Key factors for selecting communication tools are given.

This course is recommended for social workers and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  This course is not recommended for NBCC ethics credit.

“Book  Open the Course Reading Here.

Course Reading: Information Communication Technology and the Social Worker-Client Relationship:  Lessons from Communication Theory

Authors:  Karen Randolph, Don Latham, Melissa Gross, Christopher Constantino

Publisher:  Advances in Social Work

Course Objectives:  To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by exploring information communication technology, the social worker-client relationship, and relevant ethical issues.

Learning Objectives:  Describe the contributions of communication theories to the social worker-client relationship.  Identify the benefits and challenges of communication technology on the social worker-client relationship.  Give examples of ethical issues related to technology in social work practice.  Describe an ethical dilemma related to the use of technology during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: October 31, 2027.

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1: According to Davidson (2005), the social worker-client relationship is based on a power
 
 
2: According to Davidson (2005), who is responsible for establishing and maintaining professional boundaries in the social worker-client relationship?
 
 
3: During the Covid pandemic, social workers were confronted with ethical issues that included
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4: Having _________ methods of communication aligns with the core social work value of maintaining the best interests of clients as a priority.
 
 
5: "The degree to which a person is perceived to be a 'real person' in their computer-mediated communication or virtual environments" describes
 
 
 
 
6: Generally, the greater the bandwidth, the ___________ the propinquity between the sender and receiver.
 
 
7: Mutual directionality has been shown to ___________  propinquity.
 
 
8: Communication through social media such as Facebook offers privacy and confidentiality.
 
 
9: If the information to be shared is complex, it might be useful to select a communication medium with ____________ bandwidth.
 
 
10: Beresford and colleagues found that clients seek relationships with workers who are perceived as
 
 
 
 
11: Surveillance searches without prior informed consent violates one of the NASW Code of Ethics' principles.
 
 
12: Equal access to ICT and reliable internet connection, particularly for clients living in rural environments, are _____________ issues.
 
 
 
 

In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to log in. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for a free account.

After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course.

G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course.  She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience.  She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work.  The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.

Course Available Until: October 31, 2027.
Filed under: Ethics, Technology