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Social work with dying and bereaved clients: helping the workers
1Hunter College School of Social Work, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Social Work in Health Care
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Health care social workers face significant stress supporting clients with grief and loss during fiscal restraint. Administrative strategies can reduce worker stress and highlight the value of social work in end-of-life care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Social Work
- Grief and Bereavement Counseling
- End-of-Life Care
Background:
- Health care social workers experience unique stresses supporting clients with life-threatening illnesses and untimely losses.
- Clients face significant challenges due to dwindling community and familial resources.
- Limited support systems exist for social workers managing the emotional toll of end-of-life care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the stresses and satisfactions of health care social workers.
- To identify administrative strategies to mitigate stress and enhance job satisfaction.
- To underscore the value of social work in continuum of care for dying and bereaved clients.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of social worker experiences.
- Exploration of client-facing challenges in grief and loss.
- Review of existing support structures and administrative practices.
Main Results:
- Social workers report high levels of stress due to client diagnoses (AIDS, cancer) and resource scarcity.
- Lack of adequate support exacerbates the emotional burden on these professionals.
- Effective administrative strategies can improve worker well-being and service delivery.
Conclusions:
- Addressing social worker stress is crucial for effective client care.
- Administrative support is vital for retaining and supporting health care social workers.
- Demonstrating the value of social work enhances its integration into healthcare systems.