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The Social Work Stories Podcast

Social Work and Voluntary Assisted Dying: We Have All The Tools We Need - Ep. 85

Nov 20, 2023
Delve into the delicate role of social workers in voluntary assisted dying. Hear a poignant story of guiding an elderly man and his family through the process, emphasizing compassion, autonomy, and family involvement. Reflect on ethical considerations and social work principles, and creating safe spaces for end-of-life care conversations. Explore the value of support communities for social workers and gain insights into eligibility criteria and conversations for voluntary assisted dying. Farewell to Liz Murphy and a call to action for listeners.
47:18

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Social workers play a crucial role in supporting individuals and families through the voluntary assisted dying process, emphasizing compassion, autonomy, and family involvement in end-of-life decisions.
  • Social workers need to proactively reflect on their scope of practice, ethics, and personal values regarding voluntary assisted dying, creating safe spaces for critical reflection and seeking support from virtual communities and colleagues.

Deep dives

Supporting the Voluntary Assisted Dying Process

This podcast episode explores the story of Bob, an elderly man living in Melbourne, who sought help to access voluntary assisted dying. A social worker supported Bob through the process, including assessments to determine his eligibility. The social worker accompanied Bob as he accessed the oral medication and supervised his self-administration. The episode emphasizes the importance of social workers providing support, being there as witnesses, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space for the person and their family. It highlights the need for social workers to reflect on their own values and ethical stance regarding voluntary assisted dying, as well as the significance of proactive discussions and community of practice in preparing for this changing practice field.

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