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By invitation only: social work involvement at the end of life in long-term care
- Authors:
- MUNN Jean Correll, ADORNO Gail
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 4(4), 2008, pp.333-357.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia
Three focus groups consisting of 3 to 5 social workers from long-term care facilities in North Carolina were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide to examine how they viewed their roles with dying residents. Each group included social workers from both nursing homes and assisted living facilities and some social workers who were responsible for residents at both levels of care. Of the 11 focus group participants, 9 were female. Nine reported some training in care for persons at the end of life. The study found that long-term care social workers had difficulty articulating a clear role in dealing with residents and families of residents at the end of life, desired to become more involved, and encountered barriers associated with involvement. They were most likely to become involved at the request of nursing staff. Social workers also found hospice involvement positive, but expressed some difficulty integrating this service. Time and space were elements that influenced involvement. The authors comment that lower social worker to resident ratios, clearer articulation of the social work role, and additional end-of-life content in social work education are recommendations that are supported by these data.