Social Work Perspective: Comparing Korean Social Workers' Education and Knowledge of Advance Directives

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the differences in the status of social workers education and knowledge level of advance directives between geriatric hospitals and long-term care facilities in South Korea. The study employed a quantitative research model of collecting data from 401 social workers with a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and an independent T-test, using the SPSS 21.0 program. It showed significant differences in medical knowledge of advance directives between those who work at geriatric hospitals and at long-term care facilities (2.20±0.87, 2.26±0.91, respectively; p<0.05). Knowledge level about artificial feeding tubes and hemodialysis was significantly lower among those at geriatric hospitals than those at long-term care facilities. The level of knowledge about medical and general areas of advance directives significantly differed based on their educational level in both geriatric hospitals and long-term care facilities. This study proposes the importance of the social workers knowledge level in assisting elderly patients and their family members in long-term care settings, suggesting the importance of developing educational programs and licensing regulations prior to enforcing of the Act on Decision over Hospice and Palliative care and Life-prolonging Care for Dying Patients.