Myra Glajchen1, Cathy Berkman2, Shirley Otis-Green3, Gary L Stein4, Tom Sedgwick5, Mercedes Bern-Klug6, Grace Christ7, Ellen Csikai8, Deirdre Downes9, Susan Gerbino10, Barbara Head11, Debra Parker-Oliver12, Deborah Waldrop13, Russell K Portenoy14. 1. MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care, New York, New York. Electronic address: mglajche@mjhs.org. 2. Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, New York, New York. 3. Collaborative Caring, Toluca Lake, California. 4. Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University, New York, New York. 5. New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York. 6. University of Iowa School of Social Work, Iowa City, Iowa. 7. Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York. 8. University of Alabama School of Social Work, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 9. Isabella Geriatric Center, New York, New York. 10. New York University Silver School of Social Work, New York, New York. 11. University of Louisville School of Medicine and Kent School of Social Work, Louisville, Kentucky. 12. Missouri University School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri. 13. Buffalo School of Social Work, Buffalo, New York. 14. MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care, New York, New York.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Care provided to seriously ill patients by frontline social workers is a component of generalist-level palliative care. The core competencies for high-quality generalist-level palliative social work are necessary to promote training curricula and best practices but have not yet been defined in the U.S. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop consensus-derived core competencies for generalist-level palliative social work. METHODS: Fifty-five proposed social work competencies were categorized by the eight domains of palliative care identified by the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. The competencies were rated by 41 regionally dispersed, Master's level social workers selected through purposive and snowball sampling using a Delphi method. Each was rated as essential for generalist-level palliative social work, acceptable with modifications, or rejected based on the judgment that it was not essential for generalist-level palliative social work or was outside the scope of practice. Consensus was defined as >70% agreement to accept or reject a competency. Three review rounds were needed to achieve consensus on all competencies. RESULTS: Two competencies were added to the original list. Of the 57 proposed competencies, 41 were accepted (19 after modification) and 16 were rejected. Competencies in the social, spiritual, cultural, and ethical/legal aspects of care domains were relatively more likely to be accepted compared with those in structure and processes of care, physical care, psychological care, and care of patient at the end of life. CONCLUSION: The 41 consensus-derived competencies for generalist-level palliative social work may inform the development of training curricula and standards for high-quality care.
CONTEXT: Care provided to seriously ill patients by frontline social workers is a component of generalist-level palliative care. The core competencies for high-quality generalist-level palliative social work are necessary to promote training curricula and best practices but have not yet been defined in the U.S. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop consensus-derived core competencies for generalist-level palliative social work. METHODS: Fifty-five proposed social work competencies were categorized by the eight domains of palliative care identified by the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. The competencies were rated by 41 regionally dispersed, Master's level social workers selected through purposive and snowball sampling using a Delphi method. Each was rated as essential for generalist-level palliative social work, acceptable with modifications, or rejected based on the judgment that it was not essential for generalist-level palliative social work or was outside the scope of practice. Consensus was defined as >70% agreement to accept or reject a competency. Three review rounds were needed to achieve consensus on all competencies. RESULTS: Two competencies were added to the original list. Of the 57 proposed competencies, 41 were accepted (19 after modification) and 16 were rejected. Competencies in the social, spiritual, cultural, and ethical/legal aspects of care domains were relatively more likely to be accepted compared with those in structure and processes of care, physical care, psychological care, and care of patient at the end of life. CONCLUSION: The 41 consensus-derived competencies for generalist-level palliative social work may inform the development of training curricula and standards for high-quality care.
Authors: Ayla Pelleg; Emily Chai; R Sean Morrison; Diane W Farquhar; Keisha Berglund; Laura P Gelfman Journal: J Palliat Med Date: 2021-06-30 Impact factor: 2.947