Date/Time
3 CEs
Social workers can play a significant role in providing compassion and advocacy to individuals and family systems as they collective attempt to navigate impossible end of life decisions. However, such meaningful contributions are dependent upon becoming versed with supporting family systems in crisis, in facilitating Advance Care Planning, and being attuned as to how the culture of care can and does impact families in crisis.
Contributing environmental, psychological, and personal dimensions such as the impact of the hospital culture, the impact of severe stress, and the impact of faith, are often not considered when working with individuals and families during these critical moments. Families are often subject to the cumulative stress and coercion brought on by the flood and frequency of day-to-day decisions they must make as surrogate decision makers.
Furthermore, social workers are not consistently prepared in educating patient decision makers and family members on the potential risks that may arise from continued heroic measures. Social workers will increasingly need to enhance their competencies in the aforementioned health care topics to ensure patient choice is honored, family and cultural values are recognized, and that families are provided with appropriate and timely information to create a customized care plan on behalf of their loved one.
Learning Objectives:
Understand an individual's psychological status during a critical end of life discussions.
Recognize the impact of cumulative stress as it pertains to their decision-making process.
Assess individual and family health literacy and knowledge of "heroic measures.”
Apply strategies to support and honor self-determination and autonomy throughout the provision of end-of-life care.
Target Audience: Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists, anyone interested in the topic.
Location: Virtual
Sponsored By: University of Maryland School of Social Work
Cost: $70-$90
For questions, email cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu