Search results for ‘Subject term:"palliative care"’ Sort:
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Documenting the contributions of palliative care social work: testing the feasibility and utility of tracking clinical activities using medical records
- Authors:
- LICHTI Jennifer L. Christophel, CAGLE John G.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 59(4), 2020, pp.257-272.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Access to data on quality metrics can better equip palliative care social workers to identify and address gaps in patient care, establish standards and accountability for social work functions on the interdisciplinary team, and evaluate the impact of interventions. The objective of this demonstration project was to create and pilot a data collection format in the patient electronic medical record (Epic) for documentation of social work metrics at each inpatient consultation, and to build corresponding pilot reports relevant to quality improvement goals. The successful implementation and initial pilot reports were reviewed for the feasibility of longer-term applications. (Edited publisher abstract)
Sexuality and life-threatening illness: implications for social work and palliative care
- Authors:
- CAGLE John G., BOLTE Sage
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 34(3), August 2009, pp.223-233.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
In the context of the identification by the US National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization of assessment of sexuality as a core competency for social workers in end-of-life care settings, and noting that little guidance or direction has been offered about how practitioners can address the subject with their patients and families, this article summarises the available literature on sexuality during terminal illness, explores the role of social work in assessments of and interventions regarding related issues at the end of life, describes clinical skills needed to address barriers to sexuality in palliative care settings and suggests a template for the assessment of sexuality and sexual health in palliative care settings. It covers defining sexuality, cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, communication, strategies for assessment of sexuality, assessment and intervention, and interdisciplinary teamwork in hospice and palliative care. It concludes that the literature consistently suggests that a tactful and comprehensive assessment of sexuality is an important component of quality end-of-life care, and that it should be addressed accordingly.
Patient reluctance to discuss pain: understanding stoicism, stigma, and other contributing factors
- Authors:
- CAGLE John G., BUNTING Morgan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 13(1), 2017, pp.27-43.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia
Some patients are hesitant to disclose when they are experiencing pain. However, the reasons for this, such as stoicism and concern about being a bother to others, are poorly understood. If patient pain goes unrecognised during clinical encounters, patients may also be at greater risk for pain-related crises, use of hospice/palliative care on-call services, and in-patient transfers. This is an evidence-informed development of a practice-oriented conceptual model to understand and address patient reluctance to admit pain. The authors used a review of the available evidence to better understand the various factors that contribute to an unwillingness to disclose one’s pain, create a conceptual model, and identify relevant assessment measures that may be useful to practitioners. The review identified six primary attitudes and beliefs that contribute to patient reluctance to openly admit pain: (a) stigma; (b) stoicism; (c) cautiousness; (d) fatalism; (e) bother; and (f) denial. Four assessment measures that address elements of barriers to pain-related communication and four measures of nonverbal signs of pain were also identified and reviewed. Based on the model, social workers and other palliative care providers should consistently and vigilantly inquire about how comfortable patients are about discussing their own pain. Implications for practice and research are presented. (Edited publisher abstract)
Education: a complex and empowerment social work intervention at the end of life
- Authors:
- CAGLE John G., KOVACS Pamela J.
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 34(1), February 2009, pp.17-27.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Education is a frequently used social work intervention. Yet it seems to be an underappreciated and a deceptively complex intervention that social workers may not be adequately prepared to use. Reliable, accessible information is essential as it helps prevent unnecessary crises, facilitates coping, and promotes self-determination. This article conceptualizes education as a fundamental social work intervention and discusses the role social workers play in providing information that is both empowering and culturally sensitive. In particular, this article focuses on social workers working with patients and families facing life-threatening situations, including those in hospice and other end-of-life care settings. After reviewing the relevant literature and theory and exploring the inherent complexities of educational interventions, the authors recommend strategies for more effectively helping patients and families access the information they need.