| Abstract [eng] |
An aging population, increasing incidence of chronic diseases, and increasing life expectancy pose new challenges to the Lithuanian healthcare system in terms of how to organize healthcare and nursing services in the future. Especially for people with serious and incurable diseases, when active treatment is no longer available and symptom control is required, special care from palliative care specialists is needed. Such a changed, serious health condition can radically change the psychosocial life of the patient and his or her relatives. Therefore, palliative care is provided on a holistic basis, responding to the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and his or her relatives, in order to reduce pain and suffering. Assistance is provided by an interdisciplinary team of specialists, which also includes a social worker. However, studies by foreign scientists provide data on the challenges faced by social workers working in palliative care due to insufficient professional training, unclear understanding of the boundaries of functions and responsibilities within the healthcare team, and lack of self-confidence. This work context is directly related to and influences the implementation of the role of a social worker. In turn, the role of social workers working in palliative care in Lithuania is poorly researched. There is also not much data on the experiences and challenges of social workers in palliative care, the situation and areas for improvement. Therefore, the aim of this study is to clarify the need for the necessary knowledge and skills in palliative care, to reveal the specifics of practical experience and cooperation with the team, which would allow revealing the role of a social worker. A qualitative study was conducted for this purpose. A total of 8 social workers working in different outpatient and inpatient institutions providing palliative care were interviewed during the interviews. Interview participants were asked questions answering the following research objectives: 1. To find out what knowledge and skills a social worker working in palliative care needs; 2. To reveal the experiences and work practices of social workers in providing palliative care to patients with incurable, life-threatening diseases; 3. To reveal the peculiarities of cooperation between social workers and other specialists of the palliative care team; 4. To clarify the roles of a social worker in palliative care. Based on the data analysis, the following main conclusions were formulated:1) social workers working in palliative care need a wide range of competencies, including medical, psychological, social and spiritual knowledge. These competencies are often acquired during work practice; 2) the main work functions performed are consulting, mediation, providing information, organizing employment, providing psychological support. The services provided by social workers are especially important for patients who are lonely or do not have close ties with their relatives. Also, for patients in serious condition, when complex assistance is required; 3) in the opinion of respondents, a well-functioning interdisciplinary team has a significant impact on successful work activities; 4) newly employed social workers face the search for professional identity, a sense of professional loneliness in healthcare institutions and the need for specific training. These aspects show that social workers working in palliative care need better professional training and community building. |
