scholarly journals Exploring the “Social” of Social Work in Palliative Care: Working with Diversity

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline H. Watts
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
The Social

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.

scholarly journals Where is the voice of social work in the multi disciplinary palliative care team?

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary James
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Palliative Care Team ◽  
Care Team ◽  
The Social ◽  
Hospice Patients ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Multi Disciplinary Team

In the medical world, audits are frequently conducted to assess performance ideals and generate better outcomes for staff and patients. Audits are not such a common measure in social work. In order to begin to find a place to articulate the value of social work within the work of Hospice, a snapshot survey was taken of referrals within Hospice programmes within a specified three month period. The results of the audit revealed some striking commonalities as well as variations which may reflect the communities the Hospices operate within. The results of four other audits taken within the social work literature are presented. Snapshot ‘quotes’ taken from international researchers set a foundation for social workers to articulate the value of their role within palliative care. It is argued that unless social workers begin to articulate the value of their skills, they are in danger of becoming a forgotten voice in the multi disciplinary team caring for the needs of Hospice patients and families. 

scholarly journals The Role of Social Work in Palliative Care

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Nuelle Novik
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Northern Canada ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
The North ◽  
The Social ◽  
Care Support

A qualitative research study was conducted in northern Canada in 2007 which examined the realities and issues surrounding palliative care with seniors in remote northern settings. As a profession with a recognized role in supporting those who are dying and those who are bereaved, social work has been integral to the development of palliative care support services in northern Canada. However, in regions of the North where the social work profession is less developed and less recognized, the role for social work remains understated.

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.

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