Social Work Response at End of Life

A shared work team is currently updating a Decision Support Tool (DST) about how Social Workers should respond to end of life situations. This includes supporting the person who is dying (where possible) as well as assisting their family/support network before and/or after death. Many deaths occur without linkage to palliative teams – particularly sudden and unexpected deaths due to cardiac events, trauma, suicide or toxic drug supply.

The project team would like to work with patient partners to verify that the Social Work approach outlined in the DST is sensitive to the experience of people who have recently lost a loved one and that recommended actions are responsive to their needs. This includes that any materials provided at the time of death are useful. The team is requesting feedback on Decision Support Tool once completed an input into the redevelopment of the patient/family education materials (i.e., handouts that could be provided to family or friends when someone is dying or has died)

The Level of Engagement will vary between elements of the project (see blow).

DST – Consult: To ask for patient and family feedback. The team will listen, keep those who participate informed, and provide feedback on the impact of their participation.

Patient/Family Education Materials – Involve: To work with patient partners and have them be a part of the decision for specific parts of the project. The team will work with patient partners by keeping them informed, identifying the scope of the decisions, and demonstrating the impact of the partnership.

SW Response at End of Life – Engagement Plan

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of Involve on the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation.

Eligibility

• Willing & comfortable to share health care experiences in a group setting
• Specific health care experiences [details below]
• Have access to technology and the internet to participate in the engagement opportunity
• Comfortable using technology to attend online/virtual meetings
• An interest in improving health care services
• Related care experiences would be beneficial.

Patient Partners ARE NOT required to be PVN members to participate in this engagement opportunity.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Ryan MacKay
Clinical Practice Consultant, Patient Experience | Fraser Health
(236) 332-0791
Patient.Engagement@fraserhealth.ca