Serving families on the frontline: challenges and creative solutions in rural hospice social work

Focus on the social service and health care needs of rural dwellers has emerged due to changing demographics and advocacy efforts. All rural health providers are faced with numerous unique challenges. As a valuable part of hospice teams, social workers are well equipped to have an integral role in understanding and addressing the specific challenges in end-of-life care in rural communities. In this study, a Web-based survey was completed by 339 hospice social workers spanning 40 states in the United States. Both quantitative and qualitative methods and data analysis strategies were utilized. The results reveal environmental and cultural challenges impacting social work practice. The results also unveil solutions and suggestions for addressing challenges such as creative use of resources and increased collaboration within the local resident, health care, and social work communities. Implications include potential strategies for enhanced social work practice in rural areas, yielding a quality end-of-life care for individuals and families.