Theme 2: Transfer of knowledges to fields of practice Stephanie Ethier, Annie Pullen-Sansfacon, Marion Brown & Kate Matheson Knowledge Exchange Forum November 2014
1. Theme 2: Transfer of knowledges to fields of practice
Stephanie Ethier, Annie Pullen-Sansfacon, Marion Brown & Kate
Matheson Knowledge Exchange Forum November 2014 1
2. OVERVIEW The transferability of social work Study findings:
8 themes regarding the transfer of knowledge to practice Questions
for discussion 2
3. Knowledge Transfer: A Tension There are Global Standards
published jointly by the International Federation of Social Work
and International Association of Schools of Social Work. Purpose is
to establish a foundation of internationally transferable
knowledges, principles, and ethics In the practice domain, there is
general international consensus around key issues and the roles and
tasks of social work however Documents (ideals?) cannot ensure
uniformity of practice and education across the world, and Social
work practice is greatly influenced by the local context 3
4. Research Results Transfer of knowledge: an essential element
in the process of professional adaptation on a continuum from: less
easily transferred---------to--------more easily transferred
participants varied widely in their experiences of transferability
of knowledge 4
5. Presentation of results 8 themes emerged on the question of
transfer of knowledge: 1. Principles and values of social work 2.
Theoretical knowledge 3. Clinical skills 4. Professional experience
5. Language 6. Social issues 7. Practice context 8. Socio-political
context 5
6. Principles and values of social work Universality of values:
The participants noted a similarity between social work values in
Canada and in their country of origin. I think they are very
similar to what is here, its all about the client rights, the
patient, the dignity, every human beings unique, every person has
unique needs, the respect, confidentiality. (Czech Republic) A
person suffering is still a person who is suffering and needs to be
listened to actively . And active listening I learned in France.
(France) 6
7. Principles and values of social work An exception:
Confidentiality I know that confidentiality is a huge, huge issue
here and it is really, really respected. We definitely learn that
everything we do is confidential but in my country it wasnt always
respected and signing consent forms and signing release forms it
wasnt really, really the practice everywhere. So this is what I
really had to acknowledge that things are different here. (Romania)
7
8. Principles and values of social work Another sort of
exception: the ability to put values aside when the practice
context is not conducive to accommodation. My religious values, I
cannot talk about them at all. We can be easily judged. Because I
am Catholic and I am a practicing believer. When we talk about the
weekend, on Monday morning, its like, I cant say, oh, I went to
Mass. (Lebanon) 8
9. Principles and values of social work Stability of values
across the migration process My values stayed the same, they didnt
change. Im not a social worker for nothing. My values havent
changed, my values of listening, respect, equality, they dont
change, its the foundation. In France or elsewhere. (France) 9
10. Principles and values of social work Challenges to values
in the Canadian context I dont understand how we reached the point
where health services take so long to access. Because for me, its
really important. Thats what has shocked me, truly. For me, health,
education, those arent commodities. (France) 10
11. Theoretical knowledge Theoretical knowledge is seen as
transferable although curricula vary from one country to another.
This example speaks to theory into practice: The fact that I come
from anywhere doesnt necessarily impact on the relationship. It has
to do with it being client-focused. So, that, I think means thats
why its transferable (England) 11
12. Clinical skills A significant transferable element: The
[clinical skills] I gained in France helps me all the time. My
professional demeanor, the way I approach an interview, the way I
conduct interviews, my way of reflecting and analysing situations,
its the same as it was in France, theres no difference in my
process. (France) 12
13. Professional Experiences Professional experiences have
significant transferability from one practice context to another.
The fact that I already worked with a clientele in Romania that was
similar, we call them gypsies. I found that helped me here, like
the practical skills, those skills helped me transition during that
time. (Romania) 13
14. Professional Experiences A diversity of experiences
facilitate the transfer of knowledge: [my work in various fields of
practice] meant that I was able to work well with clients who had
immigrated, or abused women, or with persons with HIV. I had
experience in many areas, in my profession this meant that I was
willing to work with a new group of clients, I was completely
unafraid. (Spain) 14
15. Professional Experiences The capacity to transfer knowledge
may be related to social work experience prior to immigration:
those who seem to have more difficulty in transferring knowledge
were those who had little or no experience of working in the
country of origin. I havent really brought anything from the UK to
my practice here, sad to say, I havent. I dont really feel that I
had the experience in the UK to be able to. (England) 15
16. Language A factor which brings specific challenge to
transferability of knowledge, skills and approaches. In Qubec, the
necessity of bilingualism can be a surprise for internationally
educated social workers. There are different challenges depending
on language of origin. However, as social work is largely a talking
profession language proficiency is a key point in adaptation
16
17. the main thing is the language, and thats something I wasnt
confident in, I didnt trust myself, I couldnt do it language-wise
and I still dont trust myself too much, because you know you are
trying to my job is 90% talking to people, clients and patients and
families and although now Im already in, Im thinking in English
language, but still like, I know I could, even now I could express
myself much better in Czech language than in English, so theyre
actually, the words are missing, still a struggle so, but I must
say the transition itself it wasnt too scary or it wasnt such a big
deal. It was more the language thing. (Czech Republic) 17
18. Social Issues Even in popular consciousness, there is a
sense of universality of social issues: There are things in common.
I mean, a divorcee, a single mother, who loses employment, who has
difficulty with her children, who has a health problem. There are
the same problems here as there are in France. (France) 18
19. Social Issues Social issues and specific practices are
influenced by the cultural context of the country of origin:
Working with blended families, working with families with shared
custody, this work doesnt exist in Lebanon. (Lebanon) 19
20. Practice Context Laws Rules and procedures Social norms
Ways of working together You have your expertise and your way of
doing things, but it is a system that is already in place and you
have to adapt, so you have to learn about the system and get your
head around it. Thats a huge challenge, its difficult. (Spain)
20
21. Practice context The role of social workers varies from one
country to another. I never was a case manager before I was in
Canada. That term doesnt exist in France, we are social workers in
France, we are not secretaries, cooks, dentists, nurses to take
people to appointments. (France) 21
22. Socio-political context The socio-political context has a
significant influence on the practice of social work: Yes, the
system is truly different here, its a socialist system and everyone
has the same services, the same rights. Thats really different from
what I am used to, like when I worked in the schools with someone,
those families are truly in poverty. But here when I work with
someone at school, maybe theyre somebody who has a lot of money.
(USA) 22
23. This person makes a clear distinction between knowledge
transfer and context of practice: Knowledge can be transferred.
Environments are different in the sense that here there are a lot
more economic resources, assistance available for families, for
clients. In Colombia we have to work or we are helpless. But if it
remains that it is the human touch that makes the person much
beyond the resources. In Colombia all we can do is just accompany
the person and it feels better; here we accompany the person and
give resources. But there we had no resources for the most part; we
had just accompaniment, just listening. There isnt much we can give
them economically or materially. (Colombia) 23
24. 24 We leave you with the question: To what extent is social
work transferable? Values Ethics Knowledges Approaches Practices
Contexts