PERCEPTIONS OF SOCIAL-WORK INTERVENTION WITH BEREAVED CLIENTS - SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR HOSPITAL SOCIAL-WORK-PRACTICE

The study focussed on social work bereavement intervention in a large Australian teaching hospital comparing client and social work percepti ons of the service provided. The study involved the completion of a se ries of questionnaires and client interviews over a three month period . A combination of content and statistical analysis was used to interp ret the findings. Eighty-eight percent of clients contacted indicated satisfaction with the social work service received. The results indica ted a positive match between clients' and social workers' perceptions of the intervention, and affirmed the role of social work in bereaveme nt care. Seventy percent of clients made recommendations regarding pot ential improvements to social work services. These recommendations con tained four specific suggestions: that social workers be present when the doctor breaks bad news; that additional support be provided in how to talk to doctors; that social workers be involved from the point of admission of the patient; and that a primary social worker remain wit h the family throughout the hospital stay. These recommendations have implications for hospital social work practice in both the delivery an d organisation of social work services.