THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORK IN PALLIATIVE CARE: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHALLENGES

Yoanna Tzvetanova

doi:10.35120/medisij030437t

Authors

Yoanna Tzvetanova SWU ”N. Rilski”, Bulgaria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35120/medisij030437t

Keywords:

palliative care, social worker, social work

Abstract

The article explores the challenges and opportunities in social work within palliative care, emphasizing its role in addressing the complex needs of patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The primary aim is to analyze the emotional, ethical, organizational, and cultural dimensions of social work in this field and identify strategies for improving care delivery.

The findings highlight significant challenges, such as the emotional burden on social workers, resource limitations, and ethical dilemmas related to balancing patient autonomy with cultural and religious differences. Nevertheless, the conclusions demonstrate the pivotal role of social workers in providing psychosocial support, coordinating care within multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for culturally sensitive practices. The conclusions emphasize the need for targeted interventions to enhance the effectiveness of social work in palliative care. These include specialized training, increased resource allocation, and the development of comprehensive policies and standards. The recommendations focus on deeper integration of social work into multidisciplinary teams, promoting cultural competence, and ensuring the sustainability of professionals through improved support systems. These measures are essential for delivering compassionate, patient-centered care that meets the diverse needs of patients and families during the end-of-life journey.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.

Clark, D. (2014). *To Comfort Always: A History of Palliative Medicine Since the Nineteenth Century*. Oxford University Press.

Connor, S. (2014). Global Atlas of Palliative Care at the End of Life. Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance.

Hudson, P., Payne, S., & Seymour, J. (2010). Family Carers in Palliative Care: A Guide for Health and Social Care Professionals. Oxford University Press.

IFSW & IASSW (2014). Global Definition of Social Work. https://www.ifsw.org/what-is-social-work/global-definition-of-social-work/ (10.08.2024)

Krakauer, E. L., Crenner, C., & Fox, K. (2007). Barriers to optimum end-of-life care for minority patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55(7), 1271-1279.

Mount, B. M. (1976). Palliative care: A new specialty. *Canadian Medical Association Journal*, 115(12), 1191–1193.

Papadatou, D. (2009). In the Face of Death: Professionals Who Care for the Dying and the Bereaved. Springer Publishing.

Payne, S., Seymour, J., & Ingleton, C. (2008). *Palliative Care Nursing: Principles and Evidence for Practice*. Open University Press.

Stoykova, M., Velichkova-Hadzieva, D. (2021). Nature and Role of social work in multyprofile hospital for active treatment. Bulgarian Journal of Public Health, 13 (2), 37-48. ISSN 1313-860Х.

Stoykova, M., Ivaniva, V. (2012). Barieri pred relizatsiyata na efektivna sotsialna rabota v mnogoprofilni bolnitsi za aktivno lechenie. V: Budeva, S., Todorova, T., Ivanova, V., Radut-Seliste, D., Dumitrescu, A-M. (Red.) Ovlastyavane na rabiteshtite v sitsialnata sfera v malkite naseleni mesta - predizvikatelstva i vazmojnosti. Veliko Tarnovo: UI "Sv. sv. Kiril i Metodi, 100-107.

Stoykova, M., Tcholakova, M. (2021). Socialna podkrepa za semeystvata v sotsialni uslugi za hora s uvrejdaniya v obshtnostta. V: Budeva, S., Todorova, T., Ivanova, V., Radut-Seliste, D., Dumitrescu, A-M. (Red.) Ovlastyavane na rabiteshtite v sitsialnata sfera v malkite naseleni mesta - predizvikatelstva i vazmojnosti. Veliko Tarnovo: UI "Sv. sv. Kiril i Metodi,143-151.

Stoykova, M., Encheva, D. (2020). Social Work in hospitals – Needs and Opportunities. Научни трудове на Русенския университет /Proceedings of University of Ruse/, v 59, 8.2., 17-22. http://conf.uni-ruse.bg/bg/docs/cp20/8.2/8.2-2.pdf ISSN 2603-4123 (on-line)

World Health Organization. (1989). *Cancer Pain Relief and Palliative Care: Report of a WHO Expert Committee*. Geneva: WHO.

World Health Organization. (2021). *WHO Definition of Palliative Care*. Retrieved from (https://www.who.int).