Amy Colver, LCSW, KrisAnn Talarico, LCSW, OSW-C

Welcome to AOSW Connections and our final issue of 2022! We are thrilled to introduce this issue and its theme, “From Bench to Bedside: Applying Research to Psychosocial Oncology Practice.” This issue illustrates some of the joys and challenges of applying psychosocial oncology research to practice. You might be someone who uses research to inform: 

• Your clinical practice with patients,  

• The way in which you deliver services,  

• The specific services you or your organization offers,  

• Your pursuits as a scholar or as an educator, or 

• You might be a researcher  

Regardless, we are all influenced and informed by research! We hope this issue will offer new insights for oncology social workers across the wide range of research applications.  

Speaking of new insights, Maureen Rigney shares an eye-opening article based on her experience at this year’s Annual Meeting for the International Psychosocial Oncology Society (IPOS). In it, she shares a startling statistic that on average it takes 17 years for an evidence-based intervention to make it into practice.  

Dr. Chiara Acquati, AOSW Research Committee Director, and Amy Corveleyn, co-chair of the Research SIG shared an update from the Research Special Interest (SIG) group meeting at this past summer’s AOSW National Conference. This meeting was the inspiration for their launching the Research Collaborative Series, an informal monthly meeting organized jointly by the Research Committee and the Research SIG to create a sense of community among oncology social workers. Check out their article to learn more! 

We didn’t want to let November go by without also offering an update by Katie Tremel and the important efforts being taken by the AOSW Advocacy Committee this past year. Along with other social work organizations, the AOSW Advocacy Committee recently reviewed and provided comments on the initial draft of The Social Work Compact. Click here to learn more.

We hope this quarter’s issue will continue to inspire you to bring more research insights into your day-to-day practice and offers motivation for legislative advocacy important to you and the populations you serve.