The Perceived Effectiveness of Medical Social Work Faculty

Authors

Richard M. Grinnell Jr., University of Texas, Arlington
Nancy S. Kyte, University of Chicago
Richard L. Gorsuch, Fuller Theological Seminary

Abstract

Within the health care field, medical social work has expanded rapidly over the past few years (Bracht, 1974). Medical social workers comprise approximately 1.5 percent of the total medical schools' faculty in the United States (Grinnell, Kyte & Hunter, 1976). There is additional evidence that medical social work faculty will increase over the years to come (Grinnell, Kyte, Hunter & Larson, 1976; Crinnell, Kyte & Hunter, 1976; Grinnell & Kyte, 1978b; & Grinnell & Kyte, 1979). Additionally, empirical studies have been conducted that analyzed the functions of social work faculty in medical schools (Grinnell & Kyte, 1978c; Grinnell & Kyte, 1980). However, the above literature has left two important questions unanswered. First, how do social work faculty in medical settings perceive their effectiveness, and second, what educational factors are associated with their perceived effectiveness? Thus, the purpose of this article is to present the results of an empirically based research project that examines these two areas. This information will serve as a valuable bench mark in contributing to the data we now have on the general effectiveness of social workers.

Recommended Citation

Grinnell, Richard M. Jr.; Kyte, Nancy S.; and Gorsuch, Richard L. (1980) "The Perceived Effectiveness of Medical Social Work Faculty," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 7: Iss. 4, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1435
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol7/iss4/11