Social Workers' Personal Death Attitudes, Experiences, and Advance Directive Communication Behavior
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2005
Keywords
Death attitudes, advance directives, end-of-life care, advance care planning
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1300/J457v01n03_03
Abstract
This research surveyed 29 social workers to examine their personal death attitudes and experiences in relation to their advance directives communication practice behavior. The study measured death attitudes on 5 dimensions: fear, avoidance, neutral, approach, or escape acceptance of death. Participants' personal experiences with terminal illness and death were also assessed. Advance directive communication practices were operationalized as 7 phases: initiation of the topic, disclosure of information, identification of a surrogate decision-maker, discussion of treatment options, elicitation of patient values, interaction with family members, and collaboration with other health care professionals. Findings suggest that social workers' advance directive communication behavior differs by practitioners' death attitudes and experiences. Implications for social work education and professional development are discussed.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, v. 1, issue 3, p. 21-35
Scholar Commons Citation
Black, Kathy, "Social Workers' Personal Death Attitudes, Experiences, and Advance Directive Communication Behavior" (2005). Aging Studies Sarasota Manatee Campus Faculty Publications. 13.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/gey_facpub_sm/13
