Support of Renal Patients and Families Facing End-of-Life Care Decisions: A Nephrology Social Worker’s Reflection

Abstract

The delivery of health care in the United States is undergoing critical change. Actualization of social work contributions to optimum healthcare is a focus. This article describes palliative care, end-of-life measures and interdisciplinary team function. The Renal Physicians Association’s Ten Recommendations for Shared Decision-Making are addressed, and the recently signed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s section on Patient Decision Aids and Preference Sensitive Care will be referenced. A case study presentation is included with questions designed to stimulate critical thinking.