NASW Launches End of Life Care: The Social Worker's Role

A free 2-hour online course geared toward social workers and health care providers working with individuals and their families who are affected by death and dying

WASHINGTON The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) presents End of Life Care: The Social Worker's Role, with support from the Soros Foundation's Project on Death in America (PDIA).

This free two-hour, Web-based course, available June 30, is geared toward social workers, health care providers, and anyone whose life may be touched by death and dying.

Because of modern medical practice, the population in the United States is aging rapidly, with people dying from chronic conditions rather than acute illnesses, says Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, executive director of NASW. As people live longer, the need for health and mental health services, including palliative and end of life services, will increase.

The End of Life Care Web-based education program is expected to train social workers to better assist individuals and their families during this challenging time. Employed in more work settings and across more disciplines than any other professional group, social workers help millions of individuals and their loved ones who are affected by death and dying each year.

Social workers know how complex end of life care is, and that compassion without competency is insufficient, Clark explains. Since health care, including end of life care, is less available to poor people and minorities and since social workers work with these populations more than other professions do training regarding palliative care is particularly essential.

Topics covered by this course will include understanding end of life care, special considerations, the social worker's role, and available resources. For more information about the End of Life Care course, please visit www.socialworkers.org

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington , D.C. , is the largest membership organization of professional social workers, with 145,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. Through its advocacy, NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.