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

This all new edition 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. Drawing and reflecting on recent cases and research, Reamer details a variety of problems in the social work field relating to privacy and confidentiality, improper treatment and delivery of services, impaired practitioners, supervision, consultation and referral, fraud and deception, and termination of service. He also explores the unprecedented confidentiality challenges created by new digital technologies, such as online counseling, video counseling, and practitioners’ use of social networks, and describes current issues relating to HIPAA compliance and access to electronic health records (EHR) and health information exchanges (HIE). Reamer concludes with practical suggestions for social workers named as defendants in lawsuits and respondents in licensing board complaints.