Shaping the Future: Recommendations from a Palliative Social Work Summit-A National Call to Action

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Health Services Research
• Palliative Care

Background:

• Palliative social workers address complex patient and family needs in serious illness.
• The profession faces challenges in recognition, funding, and visibility, exacerbated by health inequities and workforce shortages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current landscape of palliative social work in the US.
• To advance a coordinated professional agenda for palliative social workers.

Main Methods:

• Convened national leaders in palliative and health social work.
• Conducted a national survey of social workers (N=350) in serious illness care.
• Analyzed survey data and summit discussions thematically.

Main Results:

• A unified vision for palliative social work emerged, prioritizing formal recognition, equity-driven models, workforce development, and collaboration.
• Consensus was reached on the need for coordinated advocacy, shared resources, research investment, and public-facing strategies.

Conclusions:

• The summit provides a model for advancing palliative social work through collective leadership and coordinated action.
• Aligning priorities will strengthen the profession's foundation and expand its impact in practice, research, education, and policy.
• Sustained investment is crucial for the long-term viability and impact of palliative social work.