International Collaboration in the Time of COVID-19: The World Hospice and Palliative Care Social Work Network

J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care. 2021 Apr-Sep;17(2-3):137-145. doi: 10.1080/15524256.2021.1896627. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Abstract

In the context of widespread loss, isolation, and grief due to COVID-19, palliative social workers came together in the fall of 2020 to form an international group named the World Hospice and Palliative Care Social Work Network (WHPCSW). This emerging global network is committed to amplifying the innovative work, nuanced skills, research, and education and training provided by palliative social workers across different settings around the world. This article highlights some of the novel interventions developed by social workers in response to the pandemic and describes this coalescing WHPCSW network along with information about its mission and membership.

Keywords: COVID-19; World Hospice palliative care social work network; international; palliative care; social work.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Death
  • COVID-19 / psychology
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Palliative Care / methods*
  • Palliative Care / psychology
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Social Work
  • Social Workers / education*
  • Social Workers / psychology