What isAdvancedin Generalist Practice? A Conceptual Discussion

Best of Both Worlds: A Conceptual Model for Integrating an Aging Specialization Within an Advanced Generalist MSW Program

“…For example, in June 2015 we conducted a search in Social Work Abstracts of literature since 2000 using the search term advanced generalist, which yielded only four peer-reviewed journal articles (though the search was not limited to articles). Of these four, only Lavitt's (2009) conceptual discussion of advanced generalist social work practice was directly relevant, whereas the other three (Bushfield, 2005;Holliman, Dziegielewski, & Datta, 2001;Lawson & Alameda-Lawson, 2001) focused on different topics and discussed advanced generalist education or practice in relation to these topics. We also used two current books in our literature search and review that had not appeared in our search in Social Work Abstracts: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice by Derezotes (2000) and Thoughts on an Advanced Generalist Education (2004), edited by Roy and Vecchiolla.…”

“…There are a number of reasons why an advanced generalist specialization is so appealing. It was originally believed to be especially valuable in rural or frontier regions with few available resources, where social workers would need to be able to work concurrently within different roles and at different system levels-for example, as clinician and administrator (Campbell & Shepard, 1990;Gibbs et al, 1990;Lavitt, 2009). However, it has been noted that resource and personnel shortages are not limited to rural or frontier regions, and so an advanced generalist model holds appeal in urban or metropolitan regions as well (Lavitt, 2009).…”

Teaching Note—Beyond Bricoleur: A Guiding Portrait of the Advanced Generalist

“…Insofar as the demar cation between generalist and advanced generalist remains unclear, curricula and evaluation of the advanced generalist approach remain unfocused. Yet, as Lavitt (2009) has noted regarding the advanced generalist, "we know it when we see it" (p. 472).…”

“…Such characteristics have included devotion to social justice, empowerment, and cultural competency (Glenmaye, Lewandowski, & Bolin, 2004). Other descriptions of necessary characteristics have included reflection leading to inno vation and ethical advocacy consistent with the values of the social work profession (Lavitt, 2009). Despite these approaches, the identification of distinct differences between the advanced generalist and the generalist remains a moving target.…”

“…The advanced generalist concentration has been thought to have advantages in rural areas where a resource-limited environment requires optimum leadership and ability to assess and intervene in complex problems with systems of all sizes (Daley & Avant, 2004). Recently, the advanced generalist approach has been put forward as advantageous in urban areas as well, especially when competition for resources and a fast-changing social environment can severely challenge the practitioner (Lavitt, 2009).…”