PERCEIVED OUTCOME OF SOCIAL-WORK INTERVENTION - BEYOND CONSUMER SATISFACTION

This study identified and measured the predictive value of specific in dicators of consumers' overall perception of a hospital-based social w ork service. A review of the health and social work literature reveale d a number of distinct ''components'' which predict overall satisfacti on with the service a patient receives. A questionnaire evaluating cli ent perceptions of each component was developed and administered to 83 randomly selected respondents. The study also gathered information ab out perceptions of patients/families regarding the reason for social w ork involvement and the corresponding outcome measured on a goal attai nment scale. Findings were positive concerning the value of social wor k. The results suggest that the ''components of satisfaction that were tested were relevant as they were positively and significantly associ ated with patients' overall rating of the social work service. Implica tions for practice are discussed.