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Details a study which examined the extent and nature of family conflict addressed by interdisciplinary team members caring for low-income older adults with chronic disease. Background of the study population; Prevalence of conflict among the family of chronically ill older adults; Factors that contribute to family conflict.

Analyzes the views of pediatric oncology social workers on the psychological needs of dying children and adolescents and their families. Palliative care for children with cancer; Role of social workers in providing palliative care to children with cancer; Differences between the psychological needs of children and adolescents.

Policy developments in the health care arena in general, and in end-of-life and palliative care in particular, strongly influence the practice environment for the delivery of hospice and palliative care services and the diverse roles of social work practitioners. This article analyzes policy developments in two crucial areas—ethics and law and disenfranchisement and health disparities. It focuses on the recent social work literature and other key sources and provides recommendations to promote the roles of social workers in ethics consultation, public policy, and advocacy and to integrate better the perspectives and concerns of diverse communities into palliative care practice, education, and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study of the role, experiences, skills and strategies used by social workers as Professionals Practice Leaders (PPLs) using a strength perspective. Using the McCracken qualitative Long Interview method, the study found that of the 18 respondents, 13 described the effect of continuous change as challenging and problematic stating that the rate of change contributes to the creation of tension, anxiety and stress for workers and patients. The emergence of the PPL role is important to understand for the future of social work in health care because little is known about social workers who became PPL.

Presents an ethnopoetry representing the findings of a study which examined the perception of social workers on the psychosocial needs of dying children and their families. Theoretical basis and methodology of the study; Text of the poem "Tucked in My Heart: Tales of Pediatric Oncology Social Work"; Interpretation of the ethnopoem.

This article reflects on a perspective of social work end-of-life and palliative care policy. Social workers have long been involved in the establishment of social and health care policy and leading efforts in advocacy to attend to health care disparities and ensure the rights of patients to self-determination and autonomy. The emerging network of social work specialists as well as the National Association of Social Workers has identified end-of-life and palliative care policy development as a priority area for broad community and national advocacy.

Discusses several articles about the significance of social workers to palliative care administration published within the issue, including "Companionship, Control and Compassion: A Social Work Perspective on the Needs of Children with Cancer and their Families at the End of Life," by Barbara Jones and "Family Conflict at the End-of-Life: Lessons Learned in a Model Program for Vulnerable Older Adults," by Betty Kramer et al.

The article discusses two reports published within the issue, one by Karen Bullock which offers insight into the complexity of promoting the use of advance directives and the other Judith Dobrof which offers an example of how examining the nature and impact of interventions can be an important exercise for any program.