Measuring Social Work Outcomes with the Social Work Assessment Tool (SWAT)

Although NHPCO and CMS have an increasing focus on outcomes measurement, documentation of psychosocial and spiritual outcomes with patients and families is often missing. The Social Work Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a measure of psychosocial and spiritual outcomes in hospice and palliative care, developed by the Social Worker Section of the National Council of Hospice and Palliative Professionals ( NCHPP). It is based on a body of social work research about the major factors that should be addressed by social workers. This presentation will explain the importance and research foundation behind the SWAT, describe how it improves performance by serving as a reminder to social workers of the factors to address with clients, and show how it can be used for a pre-test and a post-test that documents successful psychosocial and spiritual outcomes for patients and families.