A Social Work Perspective: Attitudes Toward End-of-Life Planning

Abstract

This research examined social workers' attitudes toward end-of-life planning and related factors in a cross-sectional study (N = 844). Data were gathered on completion of a health care proxy, personal comfort, training experiences of social workers, and demographics. Attitudes toward end-of-life planning were related to personal completion of the health care proxy, personal comfort, and years of social work experience. These measures remained significant in all steps of the regression, regardless of practice grouping (health and aging or other than health and aging), suggesting the relative importance of personal rather than professional aspects. Respondents in the health and aging fields are older than those in other than health and aging, underscoring concerns about workforce issues in the field of aging.

Keywords:

• end-of-life issues
• attitudes
• health care proxy
• personal comfort
• training and education

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Mary Beth Morrissey.