NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF INTEGRATION PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARE ISSUES INTO EDUCATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND NURSES

Abstract

The article presents a brief analysis of the legal framework for social work in the field of palliative and hospice care – comprehensive medical, psycho-social and spiritual support of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illnesses. This problem is relevant for Ukraine, as there are up to 2 million people who are seriously ill and their family members who need this type of care.National and international educational programs and currucula for undergraduate and postgraduate training of social work specialists and nurses were analyzed in the article. It was found out that, according to the Law of Ukraine “On Social Work with Families, Children and Youth”, palliative and hospice care can be provided by social workers. Social, psychological, clinical issues of palliative and hospice care are partially included in the University social work and social pedagogy training programs and curricula. At the same time, issues of social work are not included in the educational training of nurses in Ukraine. The study of international experience shows that the issues of palliative and hospice care are included in the undergraduate and postgraduate educational training of social workers and nurses, and meet the needs of beneficiaries. A common feature of training of social workers and nurses in Ukraine and abroad in the context of palliative and hospice care is that at the undergraduate level the study of palliative and hospice care issues is introductory. The difference is that abroad there is a wide range of postgraduate training on this issue. In Ukraine, relevant postgraduate training for social workers and nurses on issues of palliative and hospice care is absent. The adequacy of the social workers' training to the needs of beneficiaries in other countries is evidenced by the fact that in the first weeks of the Covid-19, many professional associations issued detailed recommendations, guidelines, manuals, etc., with instructions on specifics of palliative and hospice care in time of epidemics.