Social Work Practitioners’ Educational Needs in Developing Spiritual Competency in End-of-Life Care and Grief

ABSTRACT

This study’s purpose was to assess social work practitioners’ educational needs for developing spiritual/religious competencies with end-of-life care and grief. Competency levels and factors associated with educational courses and content on developing spiritual/religious competencies were identified. Data were collected in 2017 through an online Qualtrics Survey Tool at a large public university in the Southwest. An online survey was sent to 3,845 social work practitioners via email and 437 practitioners who met eligibility criteria participated in the survey. Results suggest that social work education and trainings would benefit from better integration of spirituality/religion competencies, both in general and specifically in the area of end-of-life care and grief. Implications for social work education improvement are provided.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Bert Kruger Smith Professorship in Aging and Mental Health.

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth C. Pomeroy

Elizabeth C. Pomeroy is distinguished professor at The University of Texas at Austin and holds the Bert Kruger Smith Professorship in Mental Health and Aging.

Audrey Hang Hai

Audrey Hang Hai is a PhD candidate at The University of Texas at Austin.

Allan Hugh Cole

Allan Hugh Cole Jr. is senior associate dean for academic affairs and professor at The University of Texas at Austin.