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Article
Social Workers' Personal Death Attitudes, Experiences, and Advance Directive Communication Behavior
Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care
  • Kathy Black, University of South Florida
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2005
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.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, v. 1, issue 3, p. 21-35

Citation Information
Kathy Black. "Social Workers' Personal Death Attitudes, Experiences, and Advance Directive Communication Behavior" Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care Vol. 1 Iss. 3 (2005) p. 21 - 35
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kathy-black/20/