ABSTRACT
Social workers have had a role in working with the dying and their families since social work practice began in hospitals at the start of the twentieth century. Social work is an integral part of palliative care. Both are based on philosophies of caring and concern for others. The principles of social work include: starting where the patient is; developing trust; a belief in the patient's right to self-determination; and respect for a patient's worth and dignity. Palliative care also reaffirms social work values of seeing a patient as part of a family, community, and society. Although palliative care initially focuses on a patient's specific physical symptoms, it is not complete without also addressing emotional and psychological issues. Social workers arc the logical choice for completing the psychosocial assessment in that they are trained in understanding the milieu of the person, including psychological, social, and interpersonal components.
