Identifying Practice Needs among Rural Social Workers: Gaps between Perceived Importance and Confidence

Rural social workers often serve in complex, resource-limited environments that demand a broad range of competencies. This study explored how practitioners in Ohio assess their preparedness to apply essential generalist and advanced practice skills by identifying gaps between perceived importance and confidence, termed "practice needs." A statewide online survey of licensed social workers (N = 155) was conducted using disproportionate stratified sampling to ensure representation of rural practitioners. Respondents rated 20 core practice skills and provided demographic and work environment data. The most significant practice needs were found in cultural competence, knowledge of community resources, maintaining work-life balance, engaging in research-informed practice, and trauma treatment. These gaps suggest areas where rural practitioners feel underprepared despite recognizing the importance of these skills. Regression analyses indicated that full-time employment and hybrid work arrangements were associated with higher practice needs, pointing to the influence of workload and modality complexity. The findings emphasize the need for targeted professional development that integrates both foundational and specialized competencies. Enhancing education, supervision, and workforce support can improve practitioner confidence and service delivery in underserved rural areas. This study contributes to broader efforts to strengthen rural social work through competency-based training and workforce resilience.