The role of medical social workers in daily life support for cancer patients

―Aiming for dignity in life and death according to patientʼs desires―

Abstract

People will inevitably meet their death, but how people approach death in the final phase of their life will differ according to each personʼs values. The purpose of this study is to think about the role played by medical social workers with cancer patients to lead to better support, especially in regards to a dignified life and death for the patient. Also, one of the crucial roles of a medical social worker is to identify the real needs of the patient, smoothly coordinate interprofessional collaboration, and help the patient achieve selfactualization while minimizing forseeable risks as much as possible. It is their duty as a professional who assists others to continue to stndy and re-evaluate the way self-support and self-help occurs.