International Conference 2024 | Social Work Perspectives on Voluntary Assisted Dying and End-of-Life Care

The 10th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health (ICSWHMH) was held in November 2024 in Melbourne. This significant event in successfully brought together social work professionals, researchers, educators, and students from around the world to discuss and share the latest developments in the field of social work in health and mental health.

Recording 1

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD): What Are the Issues for Social Work Practice in Palliative Care? A Scoping Review

Presenter: Ms Savannah Rowland (Australia, VIC)

This presentation examines the role of social workers in supporting individuals considering or accessing voluntary assisted dying (VAD), with a focus on the emotional, legal, and ethical complexities involved. Drawing on insights from a scoping review, it highlights identified gaps in training and guidance and underscores the need for clearer frameworks to support practice. The presentation also considers the evolving nature of VAD legislation and advocates for the recognition and strengthening of social work’s role in end-of-life decision-making.

Recording 2

Empowering Compassionate Choices: The Impact of the Social Work Role in Voluntary Assisted Dying

Presenter: Ms Jane Adams (Australia, NSW)

This presentation describes how a small research grant has enabled a social work department to carry out a skills and knowledge audit of workers perceptions, practices, and confidence in undertaking death and dying conversations within hospital and community settings.

Some social workers identified barriers such as an inability to provide privacy and a lack of confidence in undertaking this work. Enablers were also highlighted such as effective multidisciplinary teamwork and acknowledging the ‘lived experience’ of the worker.

Social workers were able to identify the significance of the Voluntary Assisted Dying act and its implications for social work practice. This research has guided evidence based planning for future training in this area.

Attendees will also hear about the collaborative work between the tertiary hospital and university in securing and carrying out this research, aimed at enabling and building research capacity.

Recording 3

Building Clinician Capacity for Death and Dying Conversations: A Mixed-method Research Project

Presenters: Miss Kristine Leng (Australia, WA), Ms Mary Joyce (Australia, WA) & Mrs Clara Orton (Australia, WA)

This presentation explores the unique challenges faced by social workers in hospital settings when supporting patients and families through death and dying. Drawing on practice experiences and survey findings, it highlights the importance of targeted training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research in strengthening confidence and capability in bereavement support. Key aspects of practice discussed include emotional support, advanced care planning, and effective communication, with an emphasis on recognising and advancing the vital role of social work in end-of-life care.