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The statistical information on hospice care updated. The bibliography expanded and updated to reflect recent research.

Updated on 02 Dec 2013. The previous version of this content can be found here.
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date: 22 September 2017

Abstract and Keywords

Hospice social workers are essential members of the interdisciplinary team that provide biopsychosocial and spiritual care to terminally ill patients and their significant others during the last 6 months of life. Hospice philosophy emphasizes symptom control, quality of life, patient self-determination, and death with dignity. Hospice social workers must be skilled in providing evidence-based interventions including direct client services; collaboration with the interdisciplinary team; community outreach; developing culturally competent services; and advocating for policy change on the organizational, local, and national levels.

Keywords: hospice, end-of-life care, holistic care, interdisciplinary team, spiritual care, health care, palliative care

Mary Raymer

Independent Scholar, Williamsburg, Michigan

Dona J. Reese

Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Southern Illinois University

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