Social work in hospice and palliative care in Europe: Findings from an EAPC survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 662-669
Author(s):  
Karl W. Bitschnau ◽  
Pam Firth ◽  
Maria Wasner
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Basic Data ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
The Social ◽  
Significant Patterns ◽  
Hospice And Palliative Care ◽  
Further Development

AbstractObjectivesSocial work is considered to be a key player in Hospice and Palliative Care. To prove this claim, the Social Worker Task Force within the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) decided to carry out a survey. The aim of this survey was to generate basic data and thus to create a basis for further development of Palliative Care Social Work (PCSW) in Europe.MethodThe online survey consisted of two parts: in Part 1, the 57 collective members of the EAPC were asked to fill in an online questionnaire containing questions about basic data. In Part 2, individual Palliative Care Social Workers (SWs) from all over Europe were asked to fill in another questionnaire with a focus on the basic conditions concerning their jobs as well, as on their tasks and roles.ResultsThirty-two collective members of the EAPC completed the online questionnaire. SWs can be found in all of the Palliative Care settings, but there are considerable differences between the countries concerning the prevalence of SWs. Only five countries (20%) reported specialized qualification training in PCSW and just around half of the responding SWs had such a specialized training. The responding SWs (n = 360) were quite content with their working conditions. Tasks concerning patient and family and tasks concerning the interprofessional team were most prominent. There is a significant role overlap with other professions.Significance of resultsThe study reveals a very mixed picture of PCSW in Europe. This could be due to the high adaptability of social work, which is to be as flexible as possible to the needs of its clients. However, significant patterns, similarities, and differences emerge. The present study may, therefore, serve as a basis for further in-depth studies.

Social Work Assessment and Outcomes Measurement in Hospice and Palliative Care

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 1553-1564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dona J. Reese ◽  
Ellen L. Csikai
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Psychosocial Outcomes ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Standardized Assessment ◽  
Outcomes Measurement ◽  
The Social ◽  
Work Assessment ◽  
Hospice And Palliative Care

While psychosocial assessment is required in hospice, no requirement exists for documentation of psychosocial outcomes. Social work research has identified the psychosocial and spiritual domains most often and appropriate for social workers to address, and standardized assessment tools have been developed by social workers based on this research. The aims of this study were to document the current use of standardized assessment measures for assessment and documenting outcomes and specifically the use of the Social Work Assessment Tool. A national sample of 203 hospice and palliative care social workers was recruited for this mixed methods study. Results indicated that most social workers used a form developed by a nonsocial worker in the agency for the initial assessment, and many palliative care social workers were not responsible for the assessment. Fewer conducted a follow-up assessment or documented outcomes. No common standardized measure was used. This study confirmed anecdotal evidence about lack of standardized social work assessment and outcomes measurement occurring in hospice and palliative care. As the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is likely to select a standardized tool to measure psychosocial outcomes, social workers have an opportunity to contribute a quantitatively driven outcomes measure, developed by social workers, that will demonstrate effectiveness of social work intervention and lead to a better understanding of the social work role in hospice and palliative care.

scholarly journals A Questionnaire-based Survey on Challenges Faced and Strategies Adopted by Pain and Palliative Care Physicians Working in Oncology Setup During Novel COVID-19 Pandemic – A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 319-329
Author(s):  
Raghav Gupta ◽  
Seema Mishra ◽  
Sushma Bhatnagar ◽  
Sachidanand Jee Bharati ◽  
Rakesh Garg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Number Percentage

Objectives: Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought to the fore various challenges faced by pain and palliative care physicians working in oncology setup all over the country. Cancer care has been afflicted a lot during the pandemic, with challenges faced by patients and their caregivers as well as the healthcare workers. The questionnaire based online survey was conducted to explore the personal challenges faced, strategies adopted and to compare the challenges between different oncology setups. Materials and Methods: After obtaining institutional ethical clearance the online questionnaire prepared through Google forms was rolled out to pain and palliative care physicians working all over the country with the help of social media platforms. The results were expressed in absolute number, percentage and comparisons were made with the help of Fisher’s exact test. Results: Maximum challenges faced were the fear of carrying infection back home (91%), the possibility of attending to a COVID positive case in day to day clinical practice because of inadequate space and screening (62%) and limited services provided by NGO’s during pandemic (71%). Strategies commonly adopted were the provision of necessary personal protective equipment (83%), the conduct of educational sessions for the task force members (67%), maximum utilization of available space in the hospital (85%) and stockpiling of necessary medications and equipment (75%). Conclusion: It is the need of the hour to formulate strong and effective strategies to overcome the challenges encountered by pain and palliative care physicians so that we are equipped in the future to deal with any kind of pandemics.

Lessons from filial piety: Do we need ‘memorial social work’ for the dead and their families?

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Jae Park
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Filial Piety ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Cultural Importance ◽  
The Social ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Ageing Parents

Death is often a taboo topic and, consequently, there is a reluctance to address matters such as the cultural importance of after-life reputations and ancestor remembrance in the social work field. Reflecting on filial piety studies with Korean participants, this article aims to call attention to such death-related issues and their implications for end-of-life, palliative social work practice and research. The term ‘memorial social work’ is used to help practitioners broaden the scope and quality of social work associated with people who have died and their surviving families. The discussion in this paper includes issues related to filial piety and attitudes towards ageing parents, ancestor honour and remembrance and family continuity. The areas to which memorial social work are particularly pertinent are suggested for further development.

scholarly journals Nonverbal Communication in Text-Based, Asynchronous Online Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Al Tawil
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Nonverbal Cues ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Study Participants

Does nonverbal communication exist in asynchronous, text-based online education? It is commonly believed that it does not due to the absence of body language and paralanguage. An examination of the definitions and forms of nonverbal cues suggests the possibility for some of them to be transmitted through asynchronous, text-based online human interactions. To explore the presence, type, and potential impact of electronic nonverbal cues (eNVC), I conducted this research using the Exploratory Sequential Mixed-Method Design. Phase 1 constituted the preliminary, qualitative stage of this research, during which participants completed an online questionnaire to identify what actions, if any, could speak louder than words in discussion-based courses. Thematic analysis of the questionnaire answers revealed the potential existence and influence of several eNVC categories. Phase 2 constituted the quantitative stage, and served to validate Phase 1 findings through the data collection and analysis of two versions of an online survey: one for professors and another for learners. The collated research findings confirmed that eNVC exist and communicate messages beyond those sent and received through printed words in the asynchronous, online learning environment. According to study participants, these types of electronic cues contributed to the social and teaching presences, and therefore carried the potential to influence students’ levels of engagement and motivation.  

scholarly journals EXPERIENCE OF LGBT PATIENTS AND FAMILY WITH HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S623-S624
Author(s):  
Gary L Stein ◽  
Cathy Berkman
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Staff Training ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hospice And Palliative Care

Abstract This study examines the degree to which hospice and palliative care staff observe or perceive inadequate, disrespectful, or abusive care to LGBT patients and family members. A cross-sectional study using an online survey completed by 865 providers, including social workers, physicians, nurses, and chaplains. Among respondents, 55% reported that LGB patients were more likely to experience discrimination at their institution than non-LGB patients; 24% observed discriminatory care; 65% reported that transgender patients were more likely than non-transgender patients to experience discrimination; 20% observed discrimination to transgender patients; 14% observed the spouse/partner of LGBT patients having their treatment decisions disregarded or minimized; and 13% observed the spouse/partner being treated disrespectfully. Findings reported also include: institutional non-discrimination policy, staff training, intake procedures, and comfort in assessing LGBT status. Implications for future research, policy, and practice will be presented.

Terminal Illness

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Christ
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Terminal Illness ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Past Century ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
Hospice And Palliative Care ◽  
Knowledge Value ◽  
Research And Policy ◽  
Care Of The Dying

The ability of medical technology to prolong life over the past century has forced an examination of the experience and care of the dying. Many diseases that once were expected to follow a sloping illness trajectory with predictable deterioration and ultimately death are now more commonly experienced as chronic illnesses. They require more medical and other resources and challenge the family's ability to cope for much longer periods. The knowledge, value, and skill base of social work, and its broad range of practice sites make it uniquely suited to contribute to the movement to improve the care of the dying. The Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network were formed in 2007 to advance and give voice to social work's expertise in this area and to promote its development in practice, education, research, and policy.

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