Looking into backstage discussions in social work: A qualitative synthesis of recent empirical findings

Abstract

Summary Social work practice has a history of collegial, intra-, and interprofessional discussions that take place backstage, that is, without the presence of clients. Because of their backstage character, these discussions may be considered even more important to examine than meetings at which clients are present and that are in a way already open to the public. The purpose of the present review was to provide insight into this practice by identifying and synthesizing recent empirical findings from existing studies using naturalistic data, published in English in peer-reviewed journals. Findings We identified four types of interaction among practitioners in relation to the case discussed and three types of content that were raised and shared, as well as an apparent mismatch between formal reasons for the discussions and the purpose they serve in practice. A lack of common vocabulary for conceptualizing the discussions and of attention given to their backstage character was identified in the included studies. Applications The review highlights an important area for further research and stresses the importance of not being blinded by formal purposes or ideological underpinnings in examining intra- and interprofessional discussions in social work; it shows that it is important to look into what is actually going on in practice.