Alcohol use is a barrier to pharmacologic treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is advantageous for medical and clinical social workers engaged in HCV care to be knowledgeable of behavioral interventions that can be used to reduce alcohol use among patients with HCV. This article identifies and describes studies that designed and implemented behavioral interventions to reduce alcohol use among patients with HCV in clinical settings. To achieve this goal, this article conducts a rigorous systematic review to identify peer-reviewed articles, describes each behavioral intervention, and reports primary outcomes of each study included in the review.

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The future of social work research relies on the intellect and competence of current doctoral students. These future scholars who receive doctoral education that values qualitative inquiry will create a system where qualitative research traditions receive the same privilege as quantitative research traditions. Project-based learning provides learning opportunities that can challenge assumptions about what academia considers “real” research. This descriptive qualitative study explored key attributes of using project-based learning within two consecutive social work doctoral courses to encourage qualitative research skill development. Students and instructors participated in ideawriting and focus groups to assess the usefulness of PBL within these courses. The findings suggested that PBL may be useful for deepening knowledge about qualitative inquiry and reducing epistemological unconsciousness.

Without improved understanding and communication about what constitutes a ‘good death’, an extended dying process that does not attend to how serious illness affects older adults’ quality of life near the end of life is likely (IOM, 2014). The primary aim of this study was to understand the concept of a ‘good death’ as defined by older adults. A scoping literature review of qualitative and quantitative research studies (published in peer-review journals since 2000) involving only community-dwelling older adults was conducted, using key search words: good death, dying well, older adults/elderly/seniors, gerontology/geriatrics and Boolean operators in Abstracts in Social Gerontology, CINAHL Plus, PubMed, Academic Search Premier, PsychINFO. A total of 344 articles met the search criteria. Following initial systematic screening of titles/abstracts and full text review, five articles remained that met inclusionary criteria. Therefore, this analysis is based on a total of five articles. Each study was qualitative, with small samples and diverse populations of older adults. Among the factors perceived important, studies’ shared results were dying in sleep/natural death/peaceful; family connection (e.g. time for closure, not being a burden) and faith/religiousness (e.g. getting ‘right’ with God, living with faith). Conceptions of a ‘good death’ often reflect primarily psychosocial/quality of life aspects, in addition to medical concerns. Health professionals need to know how a good death is defined by each individual in order to ensure holistic care and quality of life at the end of life according to older adults’ expressed wishes.

Advances in medical care led to more older adults living longer, with at least one chronic illness. Correspondingly, the disease trajectory and dying process may be prolonged, providing more time to plan for a ‘good death.’ A ‘good death’ is typically described in the literature according to medical and biological aspects, with limited explicit discussion of psychosocial and spiritual elements. The purpose of this study was to explore older adults’ perceptions of psychosocial and spiritual factors that contribute to a death they would consider ‘good’. Using descriptive qualitative research methods, 12 community-dwelling older adults in central Alabama participated in two in-depth interviews. The findings suggested a range of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual components contributed to the conception of a ‘good death’ and were often interrelated. For example, the medical treatment desired at end of life was influenced by the perceived effects on the participants’ family/social network. Reflecting on previous experiences with death, along with motivations and values, guided what participants believed could help achieve their ‘good death.’ Most realized that preparation would allow for control over their experiences at end of life. The study findings emphasized the need to consider the holistic nature of advanced planning for the end of life according to what older adults and their families perceive as important to a ‘good death’. Efforts by professionals to maximize quality of life throughout serious illness and near the end of life are essential and can be accomplished through understanding what a ‘good death’ means to older adults.