Social workers' educational needs in end-of-life care

A survey of 391 health care social workers assessed educational content and skills needed for competence in practice with those facing the end of life. Content perceived as most needed included psychological and social needs of patients and families; psychosocial interventions to ameliorate distress; and the influence of dying on family dynamics. Assessing complex needs of patients/families; communication of psychosocial needs of patient/family to team members; facilitation of effective family and team communication; and provision of crisis intervention were the skills perceived to be required for competence in end-of-life care practice. Results of these data can be used to develop model end-of-life care curricula for continuing education programs and to identify content for possible inclusion in social work programs.