Working under the accountability system: a study of the reaction of social workers

A current issue for social workers is whether public demand for accountability is compatible with their professional values and ideals. The author presents findings from a 1979-1980 survey of social workers serving in hospitals; the purpose of the survey was to study social workers' reactions to PSRO, the nationwide health care services review system. Findings indicate what attitudes exist among the social workers who are the users of the accountability system, and show how their attitudes are reflected in terms of their responses to particular issues. The author describes certain organizational and personal conditions which seem to affect their attitudes and discusses how the users' attitudes might be modified in a positive direction.