Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the role of social workers in addressing conflict on the hospice interdisciplinary team. Seven semi-structured interviews were completed to generate qualitative data from licensed social workers on hospice interdisciplinary teams in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. A brief review of literature showed there are many causes of conflict on the hospice interdisciplinary team including role blurring, leadership in the interdisciplinary team, and physical aspects of care superseding psychosocial. There are many studies exploring social work roles on the hospice interdisciplinary team, factors contributing to success on an interdisciplinary team in a hospice setting, and communication on a hospice interdisciplinary team. There have been few comprehensive studies exploring the experiences of social workers in addressing or managing conflict within a hospice interdisciplinary team. Analysis of the interviews indicated the importance of positive and negative previous experiences with conflict, organizational structure, communication, theoretical perspectives and values, time, and conflict as an opportunity for positive change. Hospice interdisciplinary teams rely on social workers to bridge the gaps between various disciplines in order to decrease conflict and promote effective collaboration. This research may enhance the ability of social workers in understanding the roles, challenges, and strengths of conflict resolution on an interdisciplinary team as way to provide better end-of-life care. These finding suggest future research is needed to ensure all interdisciplinary team members have adequate training on roles within the team and the importance of integrating social work perspectives within the medical model to improve care at end-of-life.