Ethical Dilemmas and Value Conflicts Experienced by Japanese Social Workers Supporting Older People.

Background Social workers (SWs) who support older people encounter ethical dilemmas and experience value conflicts when working with other professionals while fulfilling their responsibilities. We explored these experiences by interviewing SWs engaged in care for older people in Japan. Methods We conducted a qualitative interview survey with a targeted sample, employing a narrative analysis method. The participants included twenty-one SWs (four male, seventeen female) employed across acute-care hospitals, convalescent rehabilitation hospitals, home healthcare, and nursing homes. Results SWs described experiences of ethical dilemmas in supporting older people due to conflicting obligations and value priorities. They highly prioritize understanding the life backgrounds and values of patients to be able to discharge their duty to advocate patient autonomy and promote the best interest of the patients. However, SWs faced ethical dilemmas due to their responsibility to the organization, conflicting obligations toward the patient's family versus the patient's wishes, and differing prioritized values compared with medical professionals who prioritize the patient's physical function. Additionally, the relationship between SWs and medical professionals poses challenges in addressing these ethical dilemmas. Conclusion It is crucial to appreciate the significance of individuals from diverse professions by comprehending their respective roles and specialties, fostering equitable relationships, and capitalizing on their distinct expertise through collaboration.