NewsLine - November 2011 - (Page 22)

continued from previous page Findings from the National Hospice Social Worker Survey By Ellen L. Csikai, LCSW, MPH, PhD, and Sherri Weisenfluh, MSW, LCSW, ACHP-SW J ust as other members of the interdisciplinary team have been impacted by recent regulatory and programmatic changes, so has psychosocial care. In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published the revised Conditions of Participation—the first comprehensive revision since the CoPs were developed in 1983. There has also been rapid and steady growth in hospitalbased palliative care teams. In addition, and to further bolster and professionalize social work services in hospice and palliative care, a specialty certificate— the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW)—was created in 2009 through a collaborative effort between the National Association of Social Work (NASW) and NHPCO. To assist NHPCO in planning for the most appropriate educational programming to support hospice social workers during these ever-changing times, the Steering Committee of the NCHPP Social Worker Section conducted a national survey in partnership with the NHPCO Research team. The survey was designed to gather information about practice activities, educational needs and professional affiliations, and the extent to which social workers were knowledgeable about the new ACHP-SW specialty certificate. Development and Distribution The NCHPP Social Worker Section Steering Committee contributed the questions used in the survey and also acted as a test group prior to releasing it (see page 23 for the Committee roster). The survey was then promoted online through various channels, including the NHCPP Social Worker Section e-group on My.NHPCO; the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network listserve; and the Beth Israel Hospital listserve. Hyperlinks were provided so listserve participants could also forward the survey to other professional social work individuals and groups. The survey was available for a threeweek period in July 2010 and generated responses from 1,169 social workers. Summary of Findings Top Practice Areas Practice areas that received the highest ratings (on a scale of 1-5, where 5 indicates the activity is very frequently performed) were: 1. Communicating the psychosocial needs of the patient and family to other members of the team (4.64); 22 NewsLine http://www.socialworkers.org/credentials/credentials/achp.asp http://www.socialworkers.org/credentials/credentials/achp.asp

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - November 2011

Helping Your Patients Leave a Legacy
A Message From Don
We Earned Our Merit Badge in Efficiency (display ad)
Commit to a New Friend a Continent Away
Partnering With 3 Hospitals to Provide PC
The Voice of NCHPP
Findings from the National Social Worker Survey
My.NHPCO—a Great Resource for the Hospice Social Worker
Recruiting Problems? HMR (display ad)
Newly Revised—Physician Guide to Hospice Care (display ad)
Make NDL a Part of Your November Outreach
Hospice PSA Reaches 154,000 Viewers in 21 States
WHV Recognizes Outstanding Hospice Partners
Just Revised—A Much-Needed Tool for Physicians
Member News and Notes
Regulatory Tip of the Month: New ABN Form
Preview Our New Education Catalog

NewsLine - November 2011