Creating a Seat at the Table: How Family Meetings Elucidate the Palliative Care Social Work Role
- 1 December 2020
- journal article
- editorial
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in Journal of Palliative Medicine
- Vol. 23 (12), 1688-1691
- https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0645
Abstract
Background: Palliative care social workers (PCSWs) play a crucial role in optimizing communication and family-centered care for seriously ill patients. However, PCSWs often struggle to demonstrate and receive open acknowledgment of their essential skill set within medical teams. Objective: This case discussion focuses on the care of patients and families surrounding family meetings to highlight the crucial role of the PCSW in (1) preparing the family; (2) participating in the provider meeting; (3) participating in the family meeting; and (4) following up after the meeting. The aim is to illuminate how the PCSWs can demonstrate their unique and essential skill set to medical teams and as a means of furthering the work of psychosocial clinicians throughout medical systems. Conclusion: As the medical model continues to shift toward family-centered care, it is crucial for medical teams to optimize their partnership with patients and families. PCSWs can offer a trauma-informed biopsychosocial-spiritual lens that is instructed by continuity of care and exemplary clinical and rapport-building skills. PCSWs can play a critical role in optimizing communication, support, collaboration, and family-centered whole-person care.This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
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