Palliative care, which is a special type of care including alleviation of physical and psychosocial symptoms of individuals with life-limiting serious diseases, has long been neglected in Turkey. This has also affected the activity of social work and social workers in the presentation of health services. In the present study, the present status of social work in palliative care services in Turkey was analyzed. It has also been attempted to explain the historical place of social work in palliative care services from 2002 on under the guidance of the World Health Organization and Ministry of Health. In the present study, an analysis is carried out of stages social work profession went through in social care services, its strong and weak aspects, and its future perspectives. It is thought that the experience gained and accumulation of knowledge in this process as it has occurred in Turkey may serve as guidance for other countries that have only recently started to implement palliative care services, which are evaluated in the context of human rights at present.
Keywords: Palliative care; end of life care; medical social work; social worker.