(see Poster Gallery) Evidence of Rural Practice Skills: Which Practice Skills Are Helpful for Rural Social Workers?

Rural social workers face many challenges and disparities in their practice settings, unique to their practice location. This systematic review seeks to analyze current literature regarding specific skills required to be a rural social worker and discuss implications for practice and future directions for research and educational curricula.

Method

For the systematic review, the authors followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. From the guideline in PRISMA, this systematic review was conducted in several phases, including identification of sources, screening of identified sources, evaluation of eligibility, and final decision on sources to be included.

Findings

The review generated 19 studies, including 4 quantitative studies, 10 qualitative studies, and 5 mixed studies. From the reviewed literature, eight practice skills were identified in rural social work settings.(E-poster will include table and figure to show the specific practice skills in rural settings).

- Managing dual Relationships was identified in eleven articles (Beecher et al., 2016, p.721; Brocious et al., 2013, p.9; Clark et al., 2010, p.355; Edwards & Addae, 2015, p.88; Warren et al., 2014, p.62).

- Confidentiality: Six articles in the literature review indicated confidentiality (Beecher et al.,2016, p.721; Brocious et al., 2013, p.14; Croxton et al., 2002, p.120; Edwards & Addae, 2015, p.89; Haxton and Boelk, 2010, p.539; Riebschleger, 2007, p.207).

- Cultural Competence and Humility is identified in eight articles (Beecher et al., 2016, p.716; Brocious et al., 2013, p.9; Gumpert et al., 2000, p.22,31; Warren et al., 2014, p.71).

- Understanding Rural Culture and geographic region has been identified in five articles (Mackie & Lips, 2010, p.438; Saltman et al., 2004, p.526; Templeman & Mitchell, 2002, p.765).

- Innovation and Creativity is identified in two articles (Mackie & Lips, 2010, p.433, Lewis et al., 2013, p.106).

Multiple Roles: Navigating multiple roles was a skill identified by seven articles in the literature review (Brocious et al., 2013, p.13; Haxton & Boelk, 2010, p.535-536; Mackie & Lips, 2010, p.434; Saltman et al., 2004, p.529).

- Navigating multiple systems was a skill identified as important for rural social workers based off of nine articles (Beecher et al., 2016, p.727; Bonham et al., 2014, p.5; Clark et al., 2010, p.355; Edwards & Addae, 2015, p.91; Lewis et al., 2013, p.105; Murphy & McDonald, 2004, p.130; Riebschleger, 2007, p.204).

- Critical thinking was identified as important in being self-aware of personal biases and how they impact interactions with clients in rural areas (Brocious et al., 2013, p.12; Edwards & Addae, 2015, p.91).

Discussion

As a result of the systematic review, rural social workers need both general and advanced practice skills in order to be successful in a rural setting. "An advanced generalist social worker" will be discussed.