Hospice social work: a search for identity

Area of Science:

• Social work in palliative care
• Hospice and palliative care studies
• Healthcare team dynamics

Background:

• Social work is integral to hospice philosophy and practice.
• A lack of distinct social work function on hospice teams is noted.
• Social work identity in hospice care requires examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe social work's contribution to hospice care.
• To highlight the absence of a defined social work role within hospice teams.
• To explore solutions for enhancing social work identity and function in hospice settings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of social work's role in hospice philosophy and practice.
• Review of peer discussions among hospice social workers.
• Examination of existing literature on social work in hospice care.

Main Results:

• Psychosocial care is often provided by non-social work team members.
• Findings support earlier research indicating role diffusion.
• A need for clearer social work functions is evident.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening the social work role requires specific therapeutic techniques.
• Social work leadership in applied research is crucial.
• Maintaining a value-based, critical perspective is essential for hospice social work.