AOSW Connections
Editorial Team
Editor-in-Chief
Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW
Editor
Katherine Easton, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
AOSW Communications Director
Brittany Hahn, LCSW
Managing Editor
Patricia Sullivan
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To submit a story or information for inclusion in a future issue of AOSW Newsletter, contact Amy Colver or Katherine Easton on the list above.
2025 Themes
February: Workplace & Culture
May: Therapeutic Techniques
August: Palliative Care
November: Caregivers
The Art of Psychosocial Oncology
Volume 5 | Issue 7
The Art of Psychosocial Oncology
Practice Wisdom and Research-Based Knowledge: Never the Twain Shall Meet?
For years there has been a debate between practitioners and researchers about the value of practice wisdom versus research-based knowledge in informing practice decisions. But this is a false dichotomy. Both types of knowledge are needed for evidence-based practice. Yet, journal editors tend to publish only data-based studies that meet high standards of research, including rigorous research designs, valid and reliable measures, and sophisticated statistical analyses. Often the implications of the study's findings are an afterthought.
That's How the Light Gets In: Music and Assisted Dying
John looked at me quizzically. “I'd never really thought about it,” he said, “But I think I'd like music during the procedure.”
Looking at Psychosocial Oncology Through a Multi-Cultural Lens
During my first few months as editor of the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology (JPO), I have received manuscripts from a variety of countries around the world. This is likely a reflection of the increasing incidence in cancer and cancer deaths across nations.
I Still Think of You
I Still Think of You is a short exploration of what it means to be a fellow traveler at critical junctures in our patients lives, and how these moments leave everlasting impressions on the work we do and the people we become.
The Many Faces of Depression Among Oncology Patients
Research has consistently demonstrated an increased prevalence of depression among oncology patients. Despite this well-established fact, depression continues to be underdiagnosed within this population. Some attribute this to the overlap between the symptomatology of depression and that of cancer (e.g., sleep disturbance, fatigue, and decreased appetite). Others attribute it to the healthcare team’s tendency to prioritize somatic symptoms over psychiatric ones, especially in more medically complex cases.