The Reflection on Social Work Group Practice Challenges Through Online Medium During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In facing the current global health issue of the COVID-19 pandemic, the practice of social work by using the group method has become very limited. The need for group work that involves meeting with group members becomes very challenging because group meeting should be avoided due to the possibility that it can pose a risk of COVID-19 infection. This paper discusses the challenges faced by social workers in Malaysia when using online medium as the new norm in working with group. This preliminary study opted qualitative method by using document analysis. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The study data involved 20 fieldwork reports by a total of 20 social workers. The group work had been conducted via online for seven weeks. The group of clients that they handle included 20 groups of final-age teenagers who are studying at a local university. The data of this study were then analysed using content analysis technique. The results of the study showed that there were five main challenges when performing online group work including; (i) unclear reaction of group members, (ii) longer rapport construction, (iii) technical problems, (iv) lack of cohesion among group members and (v) challenges of social worker resilience skills. The creativity of the social workers is highly recommended so that the implementation of online group work can be maximized even if it is not like a face to face session.