Citation

Erlbaum-Zur P. Journal of Social Work in Long Term Care 2006; 3(3-4): 175-204.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006)

DOI

10.1300/J181v03n03_12

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Previous studies about attitudes toward physicianassisted- suicide focused little on attitudes of social workers despite their prominent role in work with the dying. This study, conducted in 2001, through a mail survey to long-term care social workers, examined attitudes toward physician-assisted-suicide (PAS) and the factors that impact on their attitudes. It also examined their knowledge and involvement in the PAS debate, and their involvement with end-of-life issues. The sample included 312 social workers, employed in not-for-profit long-term care facilities across New York State. The findings suggest that social workers are experienced with end-of-life issues and assume a leading role in the area of advance healthcare planning in their facilities. The findings also suggest that social workers in long-term care have diverse attitudes toward PAS, with the majority tending to agree with PAS under certain circumstances. Respondents to this survey do not feel educationally prepared for the issues related to PAS and indicate limited formal involvement in the debate. The findings further indicate that as social workers aremore experienced and spend more time with those who are dying in long-term care, their attitudes toward PAS become more cautious. The implications of the study results are discussed for professional policy and curriculum development. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Palliative care; Attitudes; Social workers; End-of-life issues; Physician-assisted-suicide