Perception on the Importance of Items on Psychosocial Assessment among Hospice and Palliative Care Social Workers.
10.14475/kjhpc.2014.17.4.259
- Author:
Won chul KIM
1
;
Myung Jin HWANG
Author Information
1. Medical Social Services Team, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Self-assessment;
Psychology;
Social work;
Hospice care;
Palliative care
- MeSH:
Axis, Cervical Vertebra;
Consent Forms;
Electronic Mail;
Foster Home Care;
Hospice Care;
Hospices*;
Humans;
Institutionalization;
Korea;
Licensure;
Palliative Care*;
Psychology;
Research Personnel;
Self-Assessment;
Social Workers*;
Statistics as Topic;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
2014;17(4):259-269
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This preliminary study is aimed at developing standardized tools for psycho-social assessment of patients in needs for hospice/palliative care. To accomplish the purpose, investigators examined effects of perceptions of social workers on the importance of psycho-social domains of assessment in hospice/palliative care settings. Moreover, investigators paid attention to variances of perceptions of social workers' along with types of institution and credentials of those family settings. METHODS: A form of questionnaire was first explored from an initial interview assessment of 10 government-certified hospice care providers and a literature review, second constructed with eight domains and 80 items, and sent by e-mail to 55 institutions and hospitals providing hospice/palliative cares in Korea. Lastly, a total of 31 agencies returned with a completed responses and consent form (56% response rate). SPSS program (version 18.0) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Study found that social workers perceived patients' family background (m=4.53, 5-point scale) as the most important assessment domain, whereas economic conditions (4.06 point) the least important. Social workers' perception varied by credentials (i.e., license types, training, full-time position, types of care facility). CONCLUSION: Based upon study findings, investigators can conclude strong needs for developing a assessment tool that measures multiple domains (i.e., psychological, social and ecological aspects) of patients. A standardized assessment tool should be structured with 2 axis (center/core and expanded/peripheral) and tailored for institution type. Second, professional trainings must be provided by strengthening legal institutionalization and fostering qualified social workers with full responsibilities of hospice and palliative care patients.
