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Some differences between social work, spiritual care, and psychology: Content variance in end-of-life conversations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2023

Michael Schultz ,
Svetlana Baziliansky ,
Inbal Mitnik ,
Nirit Ulitzur ,
Salvatore Campisi-Pinto ,
Simon Givoli ,
Gil Bar-Sela Open the ORCID record for Gil Bar-Sela [Opens in a new window]  and
Daniela Zalman Open the ORCID record for Daniela Zalman [Opens in a new window]
Michael Schultz
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
Svetlana Baziliansky
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
Inbal Mitnik
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
Nirit Ulitzur
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
Salvatore Campisi-Pinto
Affiliation:
Research Authority, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
Simon Givoli
Affiliation:
Statistical Department, Midot Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel
Gil Bar-Sela
Affiliation:
Cancer Center, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Daniela Zalman*
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
*
Corresponding author: Daniela Zalman; Email: d_zalman@rambam.health.gov.il
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Abstract

Objectives

Within the multidisciplinary team, there can sometimes be lack of clarity as to the specific different contributions of each of the psycho-social-spiritual professionals: social workers, psychologist, and spiritual caregivers. This study examined the content of their end-of-life conversations with patients.

Methods

A total of 180 patients with terminal cancer received standard multidisciplinary care, including conversations with a social worker, psychologist, and spiritual caregiver. After each patient’s death, these professionals reported using a structured tool which content areas had arisen in their conversations with that patient.

Results

Across all content areas, there were significant differences between social work and spiritual care. The difference between social work and psychology was slightly smaller but still quite large. Psychology and spiritual care were the most similar, though they still significantly differed in half the content areas. The differences persisted even among patients who spoke with more than 1 kind of professional. The 6 content areas examined proved to subdivide into 2 linked groups, where patients speaking about 1 were more likely to speak about the others. One group, “reflective” topics (inner and transpersonal resources, interpersonal relationships, one’s past, and end of life), included all those topics which arose more often with spiritual caregivers or psychologists. The second group, “decision-making” topics (medical coping and life changes), was comprised of those topics which arose most commonly with social workers, bridging between the medical and personal aspects of care and helping patients navigate their new physical, psychological, and social worlds.

Significance of results

These findings help shed light on the differences, in practice, between patients’ conversations with social workers, psychologists, and spiritual caregivers and the roles these professionals are playing; can aid in formulating individualized care plans; and strengthen the working assumption that all 3 professions contribute in unique, complementary ways to improving patients’ and families’ well-being.

Keywords

CancerChaplaincy serviceEnd-of-life carePsychologySocial work
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , April 2024 , pp. 306 - 313
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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