Adult Hospice Social Work Intervention Outcomes in the United States

Abstract

A descriptive and critical analysis of the available empirical literature on social work psychosocial intervention outcomes for adult hospice patients and caregivers was conducted. The electronic bibliographic databases CINHAL (EBSCO), MEDLINE, ProQuest, EMBASE, Campbell Collaboration, and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library) were searched. Search criteria were (a) social work interventions, (b) intervention was tested, (c) adult hospice patients and/or caregivers, (d) studies within the United States, (e) and studies between 2004 and 2014. Of the 21 studies that met the initial search criteria, 5 publications met all review criteria. Based on assessment of study results, intervention effect, and quality of evidence, the ADAPT Problem-Solving Intervention (PSI) and the Hospice Caregiver Support Project have some indications of practical effect on caregiver quality of life, anxiety, stress, and problem-solving skills. The Caregiver Life Line (CaLL) intervention had little to no effect on caregiver role stress or coping skills. The few available studies provide foundational insight into the need for the expansion of research efforts to evaluate hospice social work interventions and document the contributions of social work to the field.

A Systematic Review in Support of the National Consensus Project Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Fourth Edition

“…57,81 Domain 4: Social Aspects of Care Table 4). 106,110 There is low-quality evidence that social work interventions lead to the identification of and access to social services. One review found that various caregiver support services helped to identify caregivers' direct support service needs, decreased caregiver role overload, and led to a nonsignificant increase in social support and benefits finding; however, the review reported no effect estimate across studies.…”

“…One review found that various caregiver support services helped to identify caregivers' direct support service needs, decreased caregiver role overload, and led to a nonsignificant increase in social support and benefits finding; however, the review reported no effect estimate across studies. 110 There is very low-quality evidence that social support interventions do not impact social support outcomes. A review reported findings from a single RCT of group therapy for patients with life-limiting illness that showed no demonstrable difference in social support; the review did not report effect estimates.…”

How can social workers be meaningfully involved in palliative care? A scoping review on the prerequisites and how they can be realised in practice

“…A clear role description of social work in palliative care – operationalised by a well-defined set of core competencies – is another prerequisite. 88 The previous paragraph already mentioned the importance of social workers clearly articulating their role. Yet, the dominant focus on physical aspects in palliative care often jeopardises the role articulation of social workers.…”

Social Work Assessment and Outcomes Measurement in Hospice and Palliative Care

“…Outcomes measurement has documented significant client improvement, demonstrating the impact of social work services on patient outcomes in hospices and hospitals. 3,12,13 Attention to specific psychosocial domains has resulted in reduced problems in the associated domain. 14,15 The use of an electronic medical record (EMR) in hospice resulted in greater attention to the domains included in assessment tools.…”