A qualitative study of the role of social work in end -of -life care

Social workers are trained to provide psychosocial support to individuals and families experiencing significant life transitions in a wide variety of settings. Within healthcare, and specific to those facing advanced illness and end-of-life, the role of social work is still being defined. The research explored, through qualitative inquiry, the role of social work from the viewpoint of practitioners involved in programs that have gained distinction in the growing field of palliative and end-of-life care within an adult population. The commentary of these practitioners provides insight regarding the scope of care, interventions used and their influence on end-of-life care, barriers to successful social work intervention, and education and training needs. The study focuses on a relatively small nonprobability sample with each case selected purposefully to maximize opportunities for including characteristics of interest in the sample. Information was gathered in phases, involving two telephone and/or in-person interviews over a two month period with twelve social workers and one telephone and/or in-person interviews with eight program directors, totaling thirty interviews. Template analysis was used to examine and synthesize the content of each interview. The research focuses on the following along the palliative, end-of-life and grief/bereavement continuum of care: (1) explore of the role of social work, (2) identify the knowledge base, skills and attitudes salient to social work intervention in end-of-life care, (3) explore the extent to which social work brings a unique perspective to care and (4) develop implications of the study findings for continuing education activities within the field of social work. A study exploring the lived experience of social workers in innovative settings will foster a better understanding of the future direction of social work practice in end-of-life care as well as identify best practices.