Serving families on the frontline: challenges and creative solutions in rural hospice social work

Social Work in Health Care
Jessica E Haxton, Amy Z Boelk

Abstract

Focus on the social service and health care needs of rural dwellers has emerged due to changing demographics and advocacy efforts. All rural health providers are faced with numerous unique challenges. As a valuable part of hospice teams, social workers are well equipped to have an integral role in understanding and addressing the specific challenges in end-of-life care in rural communities. In this study, a Web-based survey was completed by 339 hospice social workers spanning 40 states in the United States. Both quantitative and qualitative methods and data analysis strategies were utilized. The results reveal environmental and cultural challenges impacting social work practice. The results also unveil solutions and suggestions for addressing challenges such as creative use of resources and increased collaboration within the local resident, health care, and social work communities. Implications include potential strategies for enhanced social work practice in rural areas, yielding a quality end-of-life care for individuals and families.

References

Oct 21, 2000·The Australian Journal of Rural Health·L WilkesL O'Riordan
Oct 5, 2001·Health Affairs·H A HuskampJ P Newhouse
Sep 26, 2003·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Christine A DeCourtneyP Kay Branch
Mar 6, 2004·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Bruce FinkeJudith Kitzes
Apr 17, 2004·Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·Beth A VirnigMichelle M Casey
Feb 19, 2005·Health & Social Care in the Community·Sheena Asthana, Joyce Halliday
Mar 22, 2005·Home Health Care Services Quarterly·John B Doherty, Kevin L Deweaver
Jul 29, 2005·Social Work in Health Care·Ellen L Csikai, Mary Raymer
Jul 11, 2006·The Journal of Rural Health : Official Journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association·Rebecca F Van VorstJohn M Westfall
Dec 26, 2006·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Beth A VirnigBradley Carlin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 1, 2014·Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing : JHPN : the Official Journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association·Kristin G CloyesLee Ellington

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.