Abstract:
This study investigated the integration of social work and performance of
palliative care at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi city county Kenya.
Palliative care is an approach aimed at improving the quality of life of patients and
families facing life threatening or life limiting illnesses through early identification and
control of symptoms. Social workers play an important role in the delivery of Palliative
Care; they encounter adults, children and families who are facing progressive life
limiting illness, dying, death, or bereavement. A multidisciplinary team-based approach
is better equipped than any one clinician alone, in creating an environment to address
all components of care for seriously ill patients. The study examined the relationship
between the integration of social work and the performance of palliative care. It also
looked at the influence of needs assessment to inform decision making and plan of care.
The role of communication and inter-collaborative approach in palliative care. Social
cultural influence on palliative care was also interrogated. The study was an
explorative research since few studies have been done in this area, the study design was
mixed method, quantitative data was analyzed by the use of SPSS and qualitative data
was organized into themes and analyzed thematically. The study findings were presented
frequency tables, figures, charts and graphs. The study established that social work
integration in palliative care is very important with 92.9%. 91.9% agreed that social
work integration and needs assessment is very important while 92.9% agreed to the
need of effective communication amongst the team and between the team, patient and
family at the end of life. Similarly 83.9% agreed that understanding individual
sociocultural, spiritual and beliefs is very important in palliative care. The study
concluded and recommended that, working together provides the best quality of care
and encourages sharing of information and coordination in the team which is critical.
Need assessment to include pain, depression, anxiety, nausea, fatigue and wellbeing is
of utmost importance. Communication between the team, patient and family is essential
in the end of life care. Socio-cultural practices in palliative care must be considered.
