A Study on the Curriculum of Death and Loss for Social Workers

Social workers are increasingly experiencing the death and loss of clients in theirpractice. Despite the growing need for related education and support for social workers, nostudy has been conducted that specifically suggests a curriculum. Therefore, this study aims topresent a death and loss education curriculum for social workers to enhance theprofessionalism of social workers who deal with death. The educational content and methods were confirmed through a Delphi survey, and the results of the study are as follows. First,among the educational contents, ‘intervention methods for caring for social workers and theircolleagues who have experienced death’ and ‘understanding preparation for a dignified death’were found to be the most important. Second, it was emphasized that the educational methodshould be conducted five times or less for mid-level managers and new social workers, andthat the Korean Social Workers Association and external professional organizations should bethe main providers of education. The death and loss education curriculum for social workersshould be implemented to create an environment where social workers can work safely andhealthily.