Social Workers as Information Navigators: Insights into the Use of the Web for Serving Clients

Social workers' critical role as service navigators on behalf of their clients is expanding in the online space at a faster pace than ever before. This study examined the process and outcome of online information navigation through the lens of service providers and service users based on observational and interactive surveys. T tests and correlation results showed that human services providers demonstrated a higher capacity to visit more websites and yield more accurate search outcomes in a similar duration of time compared with general service users. Results suggest that digital literacy for navigating information online can be improved through educational opportunities. At the same time, both groups shared some common feedback on desired features for future service navigation online, including but not limited to an open search bar, search filters, instruction videos, live chat, and discussion forums for seeking mutual help and networking. The findings bear implications for formulating the roles, responsibilities, and desired competencies of social workers for online service navigation in the digital and postpandemic future.

Automated summary

This study examined the role of social workers as online service navigators and found that human service providers had a higher capacity for website visits and more accurate search outcomes compared to general service users. Digital literacy for navigating online information can be improved through educational opportunities. Both groups shared similar feedback on desired features for future online service navigation.