Optimizing the role of social workers in advance care planning within an academic hospital: an educational intervention program. (14th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gagliardi, Lina; Morassaei, Sara
• Is Part Of: Social work in health care. Volume 58:Number 8(2019)
• Page Start: 796
• Page End: 806
• Publication Date: 2019-09-14
• Subjects: Advance care planning -- communication -- education -- end-of-life care -- social work; Medical social work -- Periodicals; 362.10425
• DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2019.1645794
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-1389

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Advance Care Planning (ACP) promotes communication to help patients express future health-care preferences and goals for their medical care. Social workers (SWs) are trained to facilitate complex conversations and assist in various ACP tasks across clinical settings. This three-part mixed-method interventional study implemented a comprehensive education and training program for SWs of a large academic hospital, which used pre- and post-training evaluations, chart review, and qualitative data from debrief sessions to examine ACP skills and confidence, and assess the number of ACP conversations initiated with patients. Self-reported level of preparation to facilitate ACP conversations improved significantly (n = 26; pre 36% versus post 82%; p < .05). A 4-month post-intervention chart audit showed an 8.69 fold increase in the number of initiated ACP conversations. Qualitative analysis identified key themes regarding barriers and enablers of initiating ACP conversations during standard care from the perspective of SWs.