Social Workers Being Social Workers: Adapting to the Changing Work Style During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Connecting emotionally with peers is a priority among social workers. Peer support helps social workers manage the emotional overload from the nature of the work, while reducing feelings of burnout. The delivery of social services has been altered by the lingering effects of the pandemic, particularly with regard to the changing work environment. Therefore, this study seeks to assess factors that impacted feelings of connecting emotionally among VA outpatient social workers during the pandemic. Authors conducted a secondary data analysis of (N = 13) VA outpatient social workers from one facility in the southwest region of the US. Inductive thematic analysis revealed the sample of VA outpatient social workers noticed emotional disconnectedness to their peers because of physical distancing and turnover. Participants recommended the following actions to curtail the impact of emotional disconnectedness: (1) connecting virtually with other social workers; (2) connecting in-person with other providers; (3) context for discussing sensitive issues; (4) addressing emotions individually; and (5) communication with leadership. Future research should assess how the findings impact social workers’ ability to overcome disconnectedness with colleagues while being able to maintain empathy and compassion for clients receiving the social services they provide.

Keywords:

• Pandemic
• outpatient
• emotional connection
• adjusting

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Derrick Kranke

Derrick Kranke is Health Science Specialist at the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC), US Department of Veterans Affairs. His research expertise is social worker burnout and qualitative methods.

Sharon Milligan

Sharon Milligan is Grace Longwell Coyle Associate Professor in Social Work at the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Her research expertise is community engagement.

Claudia Der-Martirosian

Claudia Der-Martirosian is Core Investigator at VEMEC, US Department of Veterans Affairs. Her research expertise is mixed methods and telehealth.

Emily Solorzano

Emily Solorzano is Project Manager at VEMEC, US Department of Veterans Affairs. She earned graduate degrees at UCLA and USC.

Aram Dobalian

Aram Dobalian is Director at VEMEC, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor and Chair, Division of Health Services Management and Policy, The Ohio State University. His research expertise is quality of care during disasters.