This webinar discusses the use of debriefings as a method of building resilience among medical providers in palliative and hospice settings. The instructor, Vickie Leff, MSW, APHSW-C, defines the purpose, goals, and outcomes of debriefings in a variety of settings to support the use of this method. The role of the social worker will be specifically highlighted as a leadership opportunity.

Videotaped examples of debriefings, case illustrations, anecdotal information will be used to discuss strategies to overcome barriers and challenges inherent in any psychosocial program. Using debriefings can accomplish several important objectives, including providing an ongoing and portable intervention for burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress; elevating the role of the social workers as an expert in this field; and developing opportunities for improved interprofessional relationships and improve patient care.

About the Instructor

Vickie Leff, LCSW, BCD, APHSW-C received her MSW from Simmons School of Social Work in 1982. She worked at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston as an oncology social worker in hematology/oncology, both in and out patient settings. After working for 6 years at Beth Israel, she became the Director of Patient and Family services for the Massachusetts Division of ACS  for many years.

After moving to North Carolina and spending time raising her two kids, she re-entered the clinical social work workforce at WakeMed Acute Rehab Hospital in Raleigh, working with stroke patients and families. But, when a position became open for the first Palliative Care Clinical Social Worker at Duke, she jumped at the chance and was in that position from 2012 to 2019.

Since November 2019 she has been working  as a clinical social worker at Duke HomeCare and Hospice. She is also currently an an Adjunct Instructor at the UNC Graduate School of Social Work, Chapel Hill. Vickie serves as the Co-Editor of the Journal of End of Life & Palliative Social Work, Brief Reports and Introspection Section.

Vickie is published in Health Affairs, as well as the Journal of End of Life & Palliative Social Work. She served on the SWHPN Board of Directors for a number of years, initiating their Mentorship program, and other educational activities. In addition to being a LCSW and BCD, she is APHSW-Certified.

To register:

If you've already purchased this course, click "Debriefings Webinar" below to get started.

If you'd like to purchase this course, click here. The cost is $25 for SWHPN members and $40 for non-members. 

CE requirements:

To earn CE credit, social workers must log in, attend the entire course and complete an online course assessment and evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed immediately following course completion.

Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network aka SWHPN, #1716, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network aka SWHPN maintains responsibility for the program.  ASWB Approval Period: 7/18/2019 – 7/18/2020. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits. Social workers participating in this course will receive 1 continuing education clock hours.