Perceptions and experiences of Social Workers and members of the multidisciplinary team in rendering palliative care services to patients with Life-limiting illness in Public Hospitals in two Health Districts in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Death often occurs in the public health system, making it a natural place for the social worker to collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to provide end-of-life care to patients and families. Palliative care encompasses assessing and relieving suffering of all kinds, including pain, other physical and psychological symptoms, and social distress throughout the patient’s disease process. Palliative care aims to prevent and relieve suffering, help people live as well as possible until they die, and support the operations of dying and bereavement. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of social workers and members of the multidisciplinary team in rendering palliative care services to patients with life-limiting illnesses. The research study is rooted in the interpretivist paradigm, while a qualitative research approach and a multiple case study design were utilised. The study’s population included social workers, doctors, nurses, and palliative care experts employed by the Department of Health and working in public hospitals in the Eastern Cape, aged between 24 and 65 years, representing both females and males. Purposive and voluntary sampling were used, and the study’s sample comprised 55 participants, made up of 15 social workers, five palliative care experts, 20 nurses, and 15 doctors. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews, individual online interviews with the social workers and key informants using different semi-structured interview guides, and a survey using a self-administered questionnaire with doctors and nurses. Data was analysed using NVIVO version 12. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data from the semi-structured interviews, and a systematic analysis was utilised to analyse the information collected via the self-administered questionnaires. This study addresses the lack of knowledge about the perceptions and experiences of social workers and multidisciplinary team members providing palliative care in public hospitals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It reveals that these professionals face significant challenges, including a lack of resources, insufficient training, and high emotional demands. The study emphasises the need for improved communication and stronger multidisciplinary team, as well as emotional support mechanisms for professionals to manage stress. Additionally, it highlights the importance of specialised training in palliative care to enhance service quality and caregiver well-being. These findings are essential for developing targeted interventions and policies to support healthcare professionals and improve palliative care services in the region. Keywords: palliative care, life-limiting illnesses, multidisciplinary team, social work, Eastern Cape