Training social workers to help the dying man

This study was designed to investigate the qualifications of social workers in their help for the dying. Death differs from other stages of human life because it can not be absolutely recognized. Courteous attention to the dying and meeting his/her psycho-social needs is the spirit of the help for the dying. The renewal of intercommunication of the dying at maximum is the prime task of social workers in the helping process. Social work fulfils an essentially mediating role between the dying, who is actually or potentially excluded, and the mainstream of society. Social workers must have exhaustive theoretical knowledge and practical skills for this role. The subject of the investigation was 118 social workers working in Šiauliai region. They voluntarily filled in the anonymous questionnaire. The respondents had high or higher social education or had finished special courses for social workers. They worked in care homes, hospitals or communal social service. The results revealed that only a part of the respondents had contacts with dying persons in their practice. They lacked theoretical knowledge and skills for their activities. In their help for the dying the majority mentioned direct folk traditions, intuition or outside help. Some of the respondents knew social work models of help to the dying. Most of the social workers noted that specialists could help the dying best