International Conference 2024 | Social Work Practice in Palliative 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

Community Palliative Care Social Work: Working With Total Pain in the Dying; Encompassing the Physical, Psychological, Social, Spiritual, and Practical Struggles. What’s It Really Like?

Presenter: Ms Patricia Delaney (Australia, VIC) & Ms Annabel Bakes (Australia, VIC)

This presentation explores community palliative care through the lens of total pain, encompassing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. Drawing on two case studies, it examines how diverse life experiences shape end-of-life care needs. The first case considers John, a retired man living with chronic kidney disease, highlighting the role of family and community support. The second examines Jane, who is living with stage four lung cancer and a history of trauma, illustrating the importance of trauma-informed practice. The presentation emphasises the complexity of pain management and the critical contribution of social work in community-based palliative care.

Recording 2

The Heart of Palliative Care Social Work: A Case Study

Presenter: Mr Jamieson Lowe (Australia, VIC)

This presentation highlights the essential role of social work in palliative care through a case-based exploration of holistic practice. Using the experience of a patient, it examines how social workers attend to identity, fears, values, and family dynamics while supporting individuals facing terminal illness. The presentation emphasises the importance of validating emotional and existential distress, fostering meaning and connection, and promoting dignity and peace for patients and their families at end of life.

Recording 3

Strategies and Challenges to Facilitate and Initiate Advance Care Planning and Decision-Making in Long-Term Care Facilities

Presenters: Ms Fumin Sun (Taiwan)

This presentation examines the role of licensed medical social workers in advancing care planning within the Taiwanese healthcare context, with a focus on patient autonomy and family involvement. It explores the transition from curative treatment to comfort-focused care and emphasises the importance of ongoing, values-based conversations about patient preferences. The presentation also outlines key research questions relating to shared decision-making and the role of the multidisciplinary team, with the aim of strengthening communication, understanding, and satisfaction in palliative care.

Recording 4

Relational Needs in End-of-Life Care for Chinese Older Adults: A Pilot Evaluation of the CORE-UPHOLD Model

Presenter: Mr Ho Kong Chan (Hong Kong) & Ms Kin Wai Wong

This presentation explores the relational needs of Chinese older adults receiving end-of-life care and their significance in delivering culturally responsive psychosocial support. It introduces the OPPO model as an evidence-based framework to enhance relational care and discusses The Salvation Army’s palliative care initiatives focused on awareness and education since 2010. The presentation also examines the Core Apple model as an assessment tool for supporting relational personhood, with an emphasis on individual identity and family connections. A case study is used to illustrate the central role of family involvement, alongside research findings highlighting heightened relational and emotional needs, particularly among older adults living with dementia.