title: The Social Work Assessment Tool (SWAT).
abstract: This paper reports on the last of three National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization initiatives to move hospice and palliative care social workers into the patient/family outcomes arena: the development of the Social Work Assessment Tool. The experience of a team of practitioners and researchers is described, including results of two pilot studies and subsequent SWAT revisions. The major focus is on the current model performance improvement project, in which 19 social workers from 14 hospice and palliative care programs used the SWAT with 101 patients and 81 primary caregivers for a median of 44 days. Quantitative analysis indicated significant improvement in SWAT scores for patients from the first to the second social work visit (t = -2.60, df = 47, p .01). Qualitative interviewing of the social workers indicated some lack of readiness in the field to conduct quantitative outcomes measurement. Additional measures are needed in addition to the SWAT, including qualitative measures, and measures of mezzo and macro practice. Participants indicated that the SWAT was appropriate for use with economically and culturally diverse clients.
authors.forename: Dona J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raymer
authors.forename: Stacy F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Orloff
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerbino
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valade
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wise-Wright
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003657:Decision Making; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires