Editor Introduction.

Abstract

This issue holds articles of widely varying topics. And once again, shows the diversity of issues faced by palliative social workers around the world. This issue begins with a practice concepts/innovations entry that shares a new intervention implemented in a Singapore hospice during the time of severe restrictions of in person contact in hospices. At the beginning and during the height of the COVID19 pandemic, hospice volunteer activities were considered “non-essential” and in person visits by volunteers were halted. Research does indicate that volunteers however can be an important source of support for hospice patients and families. In place of in person visits, Kong describes a telehealth virtual animal-assisted activity through two case studies. These examples show that it was a non-intimidating way to provide comfort with the use of animals, even virtually. Using virtual volunteering may be a good supplement going forward to in person visits. In the first of the research articles, Nakao-Hayashizaka and colleagues describe a study of preparation for end of life among Japanese Americans. Cultural differences and similarities were revealed in the results of this study. Family-centered decision making was a important aspect near the end of life. The priority for Japanese Americans is to have a natural death which would be achievable with expression of the desire not to have life-prolonging treatment. The wish not to plan for organ donations also seems consistent with this notion. While everyone is an individual, the results may provide some guidance for practitioners as to what questions to ask Japanese Americans near the end of life. In the next article, Uchida and colleagues investigated coping strategies and distress among bereaved individuals at different points in the bereavement process (over years). One coping strategy of “retaining ties with the deceased” showed a relationship with distress. While early in the bereavement process, this coping mechanism may be protective against complicated bereavement or distress. However, bereaved individuals had poorer mental health the longer this persisted as the coping mechanism used. Further investigation is recommended to define coping needs and therapeutic responses during varying time of bereavement. The practice of hospice social work can be very different depending on the context and geographic location. Curd and colleagues conducted qualitative interviews with rural hospice social workers to explore their unique experiences in practice in this environment. They spoke about the rural environment as a strength in the closeness and the support of communities. Also challenges revealed in meeting the resource needs of hospice patients. Lastly, Bravo explored Canadian social workers’ attitudes toward medical assistance in dying (MAID) for persons with dementia. MAID is allowed in Canada for those decisionally capable of making this choice. The current debate is about allowing it for persons who are no longer capable of decision making but expressed a wish for MAID in an advance directive. Interestingly, case vignettes were used in their survey of social workers and a higher acceptability was seen for use of MAID in persons who lost