Abstract
This thesis documents the researcher's efforts to investigate social workers' perspectives concerning current information and communications technology (ICT) and administrative systems in Northern Ireland before an anticipated move to a new digital health and social care record. This study explores several theoretical positions on end-user involvement in technology, including participation, organisational behaviour, and sociological perspectives. The thesis examines technology and its efficacy in social work administration through a systematic literature review and in-depth evaluation of previous research studies.The research is based on the following objectives:
1. Provide an understanding of Information Communication Technology (ICT) functionality that social workers deem important.
2. Capture social workers' perspectives on the usefulness and ease of use of the ICT systems.
3. Elicit social workers' perspectives on digital capabilities and the availability of appropriate hardware for ICT engagement.
4. Obtain social workers' perspectives on the intersections between ICT and multi-disciplinary working.
5. Explore social workers' views on new technology that may support their practice.
From May to November 2021, data on ICT and administration systems was collected from 126 frontline social workers in Northern Ireland Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts. To help pursue data saturation, a mixed methods research approach incorporating grounded theory analysis for qualitative and quantitative data, namely theoretical sampling and iterative data collection and analysis, was adopted. Several inferential statistical tests were carried out on specific quantitative datasets.
Based on findings from the literature reviews in this subject area, this thesis indicates that social workers face several barriers within their current ICT and administration systems that inhibit their ability to engage with service users. Social workers overwhelmingly advocate for greater standardisation of systems and adopting a single ICT or one overall administration system. The study identified the need to improve accessibility with ICT systems and modernise and implement effective technology in social work. The paper outlines several cultural, organisational and multi-disciplinary issues that prevent change. The work suggests how change is managed and how there are opportunities, including investment in ICT and greater participation of social workers in the design and implementation.
The thesis highlights numerous problems with administration and ICT systems encountered by frontline social workers, inhibiting time for direct practice with service users. The study cohort also expressed a need to improve ICT and administration systems' efficiency, effectiveness and usability. The findings also indicate that future systems must deal with numerous accessibility issues plaguing the current systems used by social workers in Northern Ireland.
The study indicates social workers must maximise their confidence and competency by participating in technological design and implementation. The COVID-19 pandemic occurred during the research and as an indirect result accelerated social workers' capacity to engage with technology. The imminent implementation of new digital health and social care records in Northern Ireland offers new opportunities for social workers to define the technology available.
| Date of Award | Jun 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Sponsors | Department of Health |
| Supervisor | Tony McGinn (Supervisor), Brian Taylor (Supervisor) & Bethany Waterhouse-Bradley (Supervisor) |
Keywords
- social work
- administration
- bureaucracy