Standardiserad interaktion - en utmaning i socialt arbete
Författare
Summary, in English
Standardized assessment instruments have been introduced in social work with the aim of measuring outcome effects and raising quality. One example, the ASI (Addiction Severity Index), is a standardi- zed questionnaire which can be regarded as a success story in Sweden and around the globe. The questionnaire, originally created by quantitative researchers and focusing on Vietnam Veterans in volun- tary care in the USA, is now widely used in Swedish social work. A different target group is identified (clients in need of social services) and different users (social workers). The results show that the pre- fabricated questions in the questionnaire restrict the institutional interaction. In social work the narrative is important. Standardized instruments change the status of the narrative and the interac- tion becomes digitized. Inspired by eth-
nomethodology and discourse analysis, the study shows that clients applying for welfare benefits or subject to pre-trial investigation at the probation office are expected to participate. The standardized interaction has special characteristics: The conversation is highly reduced to yes-no answers, leaving little or almost no space for narratives. The questionnaire changes the professional conversation and leaves the professional and the client in a new interactional situation.
In a profession where discretion has been highly valued and the professional conversation to a large extent has been shaped situationally, standardized inte- raction challenges the professional-client relationship. In the article certain techni- ques for handling the questionnaire are discerned.
nomethodology and discourse analysis, the study shows that clients applying for welfare benefits or subject to pre-trial investigation at the probation office are expected to participate. The standardized interaction has special characteristics: The conversation is highly reduced to yes-no answers, leaving little or almost no space for narratives. The questionnaire changes the professional conversation and leaves the professional and the client in a new interactional situation.
In a profession where discretion has been highly valued and the professional conversation to a large extent has been shaped situationally, standardized inte- raction challenges the professional-client relationship. In the article certain techni- ques for handling the questionnaire are discerned.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2014
Språk
Svenska
Sidor
4-23
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Socialvetenskaplig tidskrift
Volym
21
Issue
1
Fulltext
- Available as PDF - 141 kB
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Länkar
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Forsa
Ämne
- Social Work
Nyckelord
- Social sciences
- Socialt arbete
Status
Published
Projekt
- Documents, forms and paperwork – expanding documenting practices in health care and social service
Forskningsgrupp
- Kriminal- och socialvetenskapligt nätverk
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1104-1420