Impacts of SARS crisis on social work students — Reflection on social work education

Abstract

The impacts of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) on the social work students were examined using a combined quantitative and qualitative method. A survey was conducted with 114 social work undergraduate students at The Chinese University of Hong Kong to assess their perception of the impacts of SARS on them at personal and professional level. Four focus groups had been conducted to examine the social work students' interpretation and their reflection of their experience. Results show that the SARS crisis has positive impacts on social work students. The findings indicate that students with direct exposure to SARS perceived themselves as becoming more appreciative in attitude and have greater involvement and devotion to the social work profession. Moreover, the result shows that three variables — recognition of risk, commitment and devotion, and professional reflection are positively correlated. The findings articulate the relationship between experience (risk), profession reflection and meaning generation (commitment and devotion). The findings of this study provide us with insights to rethink on our social work education.