Risk Management in Social Work: Preventing Professional Malpractice, Liability, and Disciplinary Action

This text is based on Frederic G. Reamer's key reference for practitioners, Social Work Malpractice and Liability: Strategies for Prevention. Rooted in his own experiences as an expert witness in court and licensing board cases, the volume introduces the concepts of negligence, malpractice, and liability before turning to the subject of risk management. Reflecting on recent legal cases and research, Reamer identifies a variety of problems in the social work field relating to privacy and confidentiality, improper treatment and delivery of services, impaired practitioners, supervision, consultations and referrals, fraud and deception, and termination of service. He also explores the unprecedented ethical challenges created by new digital technologies-such as online counseling, video counseling, and practitioners' use of social networks and social media-and describes current issues relating to HIPAA compliance and access to electronic health records (EHR) and health information exchanges (HIE). He concludes with practical suggestions for social workers named as defendants in lawsuits and respondents in licensing board complaints.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. Professional Risk Management: An Overview Professional Malpractice and Liability Key Concepts in Risk Management The Elements of Malpractice and Liability Process Versus Outcome and the Standard of Care Damages in Liability Cases 2. Confidentiality and Privileged Communication The Concept of Privacy Common Confidentiality Issues The Concept of Privileged Communication Responding to Subpoenas and Court Orders Unintentional Disclosure of Confidential Information 3. The Delivery of Services Clients' Rights Informed Consent Clinical Assessment and Intervention Negligent Intervention Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships Managing Boundary Risks Undue Influence Suicide Involuntary Civil Commitment Protective Services Defamation of Character Digital Technology and Social Media 4. Impaired Social Workers The Nature of Impairment Extent of Impairment Causes of Impairment Sexual Abuse of Clients Practitioner Substance Abuse Response to Impairment Risk Management Strategy The Challenge for Social Work 5. Supervision: Clients and Staff Client Supervision Staff Supervision Supervision Case Law Supervision of Volunteers Liability and Social Work Education Preventing Supervisory Liability 6. Consultation, Referral, Documentation, and Records Consultation in Social Work Referral in Social Work Social Work Documentation and Records Evolution of Social Work Standards Risk Management Standards and Guidelines 7. Deception and Fraud Self-interested Deception and Fraud Deception and Fraud Motivated by Altruism 8. Termination of Service The Concept of Abandonment Premature Termination Prevention Strategy 9. Responding to Lawsuits and Ethics Complaints: The Role of Prevention In the Event of a Lawsuit or Licensing Board Complaint The Role of the Expert Witness Preventing Lawsuits and Licensing Board Complaints: Good Practice Preventing Lawsuits and Licensing Board Complaints: Good Ethics Ethical Dilemmas and Decision Making Conducting an Ethics Audit Appendix: Sample Forms Notes References Legal Citations Index

About the Author :
Frederic G. Reamer is professor at the School of Social Work, Rhode Island College. His many books include Social Work Values and Ethics; Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in the Human Services; Teens in Crisis: How the Industry Serving Struggling Teens Helps and Hurts Our Kids (with Deborah H. Siegel); and Criminal Lessons: Case Studies and Commentary on Crime and Justice.

Review :
Written by one of our premier scholars in social work ethics, this book provides students and practitioners with a comprehensive view of the practical ways of addressing ethical issues in practice. It features the following seven key steps for ethical decisionmaking: consulting colleagues; accessing supervisors; integrating the NASW Code of Ethics into practice; keeping up-to date on relevant laws, policies, and regulations; reviewing professional literature; obtaining legal counsel; and carefully documenting decision-making steps-all essential skills for twenty-first-century social work practice. -- Michael J. Austin, Unviersity of California, Berkeley Frederic Reamer's work is a significant contribution to the field. Containing vital details on changing ethical issues and laws related to cybertherapy, social networking, social media, and healthcare ethics, this book is a must-have for practitioners and managers and is perfect for advanced classes in both clinical and administrative social work education. -- Deborah Borman, Northwestern University School of Law Original and authoritative... With its strong emphasis on prevention, and the sound promotion of a prophylactic perspective, Risk Management in Social World, in my judgment, will be accepted as the definitive text on the topic. Clearly written, with detailed notes and useful references, full legal citations, and a masterful application of our profession's Code of Ethics, Frederic Reamer's newest text quite simply is a gift to all of us who are members of the social work profession. Journal of Teaching in Social Work