Strategies for self-care and support during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from an international survey of social workers in palliative care

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many hospice and palliative care services to reconfigure existing services and invent new ones using technology and remote working. Workloads increased in response to demand and healthcare professionals risked professional burnout, stress and emotional exhaustion. The aim of this study was to conduct secondary analysis of international survey data from palliative care social workers regarding the support received during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey-based design was used. Social workers in palliative care were invited to participate via members of international palliative care Social Work networks. The findings are based on data from 278 respondents from 21 countries. Most reported online team meetings, supervision and peer-led group supervision as the main support strategies during the pandemic, yet many indicated they had no time during the pandemic to access support. With hindsight, 43.5% of respondents said they would have done things differently during the pandemic. Most regretted implementing social distancing measures, due to the social isolation, moral distress and impact on grieving relatives. Managers need to help social workers prioritize self-care and proactively engage in support strategies, including supervision, peer-led group supervision and have a better work-life balance that allows time to switch off from work.