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Exploring essential digital competencies for gerontological social workers: A case study in China.

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Title: Exploring essential digital competencies for gerontological social workers: A case study in China.
Authors: Li, Yaru (AUTHOR), Chen, Honglin (AUTHOR), Hämäläinen, Juha (AUTHOR), An, Ning (AUTHOR)
Source: Educational Gerontology. Sep2026, Vol. 52 Issue 9, p1032-1046. 15p.
Subjects: Elder care, Social workers, Focus groups, Digital health, Interviewing, Students, Thematic analysis, Clinical competence, Conceptual structures
Geographic Terms: China
Abstract: In today's digital society, digital competence is crucial for gerontological social workers (GSWs) to support the well-being of older adults and promote professional development. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding what essential digital competencies GSWs should have. This case study aims to explore the essential digital competencies for GSWs based on the DigComp 2.2 framework. Data were collected through reflective assignments from social work students (N = 44), focus group interviews with gerontological social work practitioners (N = 2) and in-depth interviews with nursing home employers (N = 2). Through thematic analysis, we summarized the essential digital competencies for GSWs as follows: 1) Searching for, filtering, and evaluating information and data in social work practice; 2) Using digital technologies for communication and interaction; 3) Creating digital content for social work service; 4) Protecting personal data and privacy in digital environments; and 5) Enhancing the social worker's digital competence for professional practice. These finding would inform future course development aimed at cultivating digital competencies for GSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Educational Gerontology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Exploring essential digital competencies for gerontological social workers: A case study in China.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Li%2C+Yaru%22">Li, Yaru</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chen%2C+Honglin%22">Chen, Honglin</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hämäläinen%2C+Juha%22">Hämäläinen, Juha</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22An%2C+Ning%22">An, Ning</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Educational+Gerontology%22">Educational Gerontology</searchLink>. Sep2026, Vol. 52 Issue 9, p1032-1046. 15p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elder+care%22">Elder care</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+workers%22">Social workers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Focus+groups%22">Focus groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+health%22">Digital health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interviewing%22">Interviewing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students%22">Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clinical+competence%22">Clinical competence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Conceptual+structures%22">Conceptual structures</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
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  Data: In today's digital society, digital competence is crucial for gerontological social workers (GSWs) to support the well-being of older adults and promote professional development. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding what essential digital competencies GSWs should have. This case study aims to explore the essential digital competencies for GSWs based on the DigComp 2.2 framework. Data were collected through reflective assignments from social work students (N = 44), focus group interviews with gerontological social work practitioners (N = 2) and in-depth interviews with nursing home employers (N = 2). Through thematic analysis, we summarized the essential digital competencies for GSWs as follows: 1) Searching for, filtering, and evaluating information and data in social work practice; 2) Using digital technologies for communication and interaction; 3) Creating digital content for social work service; 4) Protecting personal data and privacy in digital environments; and 5) Enhancing the social worker's digital competence for professional practice. These finding would inform future course development aimed at cultivating digital competencies for GSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Educational Gerontology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1080/03601277.2025.2535494
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Elder care
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social workers
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      – SubjectFull: Focus groups
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      – SubjectFull: Students
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      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Clinical competence
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      – SubjectFull: Conceptual structures
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      – SubjectFull: China
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Exploring essential digital competencies for gerontological social workers: A case study in China.
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            NameFull: Li, Yaru
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            NameFull: Chen, Honglin
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            NameFull: Hämäläinen, Juha
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            – D: 01
              M: 09
              Text: Sep2026
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              Y: 2026
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