On April 23, ACSWA co-hosted a conversation about common ground in micro- and macro-practice of social work—a sometimes controversial topic.
This chat showed that there are many intersections between clinical/micro practice and macro practice, the yin and yang of our profession. A clinician can both make a difference in a client’s life and influence policy. A macro practitioner can create change across large systems, which can affect individuals. Despite differences, we share a strengths-based perspective and know that people’s environments direct affect their well-being. The chat generated many tweets about the importance of clinicians and macro social social workers drawing on each other as experts. Other topics were the importance of teaching the concepts of micro and macro together in the schools and in agencies.
The Twitter chat reminds us of our common principles and the need to keep trying to bridge the micro-macro gaps. We all have vital roles to play in addressing society’s most complex healthcare problems, and in finding new ways forward in healthcare reform and evidence-based practice.
Here’s a selection of tweets from this chat:
SW began with a dual focus. Jane Addams and Mary Richmond pioneered a micro-macro foundation. #MacroSW
— Sunya Folayan (@SunyaFolayan) April 24, 2015
A1 "The beauty of social work is that you can work on all different levels" as Tara McShane Pandarinath says http://t.co/Bd7ZZsk7RJ #macrosw
— UB-Social Work (@UBSSW) April 24, 2015
BOOM! @acswa well said… Integrated healthcare supports tearing down the micro/macro silo's #MacroSW https://t.co/R6dDVKd7V9
— Sean Erreger LCSW (@StuckonSW) April 24, 2015
Yes. Policy impacts funding and the services available to clients. #MacroSW https://t.co/z5Z2KfmkdD
— R.L. West Consulting (@poliSW) April 24, 2015
@karenzgoda True! Although I'm now on the macro side, my micro skills helped get me to where I am. All SWers should have both. #MacroSW
— Lakeya (@lakeya_cherry) April 24, 2015
It's good to honor the differences between the 2, but also important to recognize how they're interconnected #MacroSW @karenzgoda
— R. Thompkins-Jones (@Relando_T) April 24, 2015
Let's stop ignoring the issues of race, and "otherness". These issues are rife in all aspects of our work. #MacroSW https://t.co/3OIHeXwuJU
— Sunya Folayan (@SunyaFolayan) April 24, 2015
Best way to engage CSW's in advocating for change is to get them fired up about policies that impact them! #macrosw https://t.co/cZur2PrDHC
— Ryan Johnson (@Ryanj5) April 24, 2015
A4: Social workers should also work to be at the table when organizational policy is made. Greatly impacts our clients. #MacroSW
— Heather McCabe (@professormccabe) April 24, 2015
A5 CSWs can testify as experts or help clients do so at legislative hearings- very effective, puts a human face to those bills #macrosw
— UB-Social Work (@UBSSW) April 24, 2015
A4 All social workers should attend #lobbyday. Be familiar with legislative advancements for interest areas @karenzgoda #MacroSW
— Sequoya Hayes, LSW (@profmasala) April 24, 2015
A5 Learning collaboratives can bring both together. Can be hosted by schools, advocacy groups, association, agencies #MacroSW
— ACSWA (@acswa) April 24, 2015
Where we go from here has yet to be discovered but as long as we keep the conversation going, we’ll be sure to make great strides. We welcome your thoughts and next steps about this topic and feel free to share your story about how your direct care work has been applied for changing your community.
Review the Storify of our chat.
Here’s a few resources on the topic.
- Clinical vs. Macro Practice
- ‘Case’ and ‘Cause’ in Social Work Education — A Balancing Act
- How To Decide: Micro- or Macro-level Practice (Or Something In Between)?
The #MacroSW chats are held bimonthly on Twitter on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 9 p.m. EST (6 p.m. PST). We encourage you to participate. For more information, chat schedule, and chat archives check out: https://macrosw.wordpress.com.
Images via twitter.
