Do you ever imagine a world filled with people who confidently utilize social supports without fear of being scrutinized, discriminated against or judged? How could this way of thinking impact the social work profession? Or better yet, the influence it may have on the way we as social workers practice?

There is little doubt that psychosocial support provided by healthcare professionals is a crucial part of the cancer journey. However, far too often patients feel as if asking for additional support defines them as being “weak-minded” or “lacking strength.” In reality, asking for help or additional support is an experience of vulnerability and an act of courage. In many instances, a cancer diagnosis creates a greater sense of anxiety than other illnesses that possess a poorer prognosis (Zabora, BrintzenhofeSzoc, Curbow, Hooker, & Piantadosi, 2001). Cancer has the ability to disrupt all aspects of daily life including family, work, finances and friendships (Zabora et al.). Most patients derive critical support from significant others in order to develop resilience against the multiple predicators of stress and to facilitate problem-solving strategies in relation to the demands of their present illness. Nonetheless, it is imperative to understand that not everyone has the necessary support to bear such an overwhelming process.

Stigma problems interfere with a person’s opportunities to succeed and hinder their efforts to become more normalized. The concept of stigma refers to negative social meanings or stereotypes assigned to an individual when their attributes are considered either different from or inferior to societal norms (Ahmedani, 2011). A major characteristic of stigma is that it is instrumental in restricting a person’s ability to develop one’s potential (Ahmedani).

Evidence suggests that a patient’s initial response to a cancer diagnosis is significantly influenced by preexisting psychosocial factors that patients bring to their cancer experience. Oncology social workers can utilize these variables to construct patient profiles that are predictive of which patients will effectively adapt to their diagnosis and treatment, and which ones will experience significant difficulty in their adjustment. Techniques such as psychosocial screening can be utilized to quickly identify patients who may experience higher levels of distress. Previous prevalence studies of psychological distress indicate that 25 percent – 30 percent of all newly diagnosed and recurrent patients experience significantly elevated levels of emotional distress, while as many as 47 percent have a psychiatric diagnosis (Zabora et al., 2001).

As oncology social workers, we are trained to teach, socialize and equip individuals to overcome and empower themselves through the cancer journey. We know that when people have difficulty asking for help, issues that deem manageable can go unaddressed and eventually require further care. We are also aware of the value our services provide and the positive impact it serves to both the individual and family’s well-being. We must utilize our skills to foster a culture that encourages people to be willing to give and receive help in the hope to eliminate the perceived stigma. A few implications that can be incorporated into practice include:

1. Introducing social work services early in the cancer journey
The primary role of social work in oncology settings is to develop a plan for living with the treatment by identifying the patient’s coping abilities, physical needs, family and spiritual needs, and providing support. Individuals may sometimes make decisions that are not supported by family members or even the health care team. Therefore, the support of the social worker can help alleviate any tension through the cancer journey. All cancer patients need emotional support, which ranges from orientation to in depth counseling. Research states that approximately 80% of families need emotional counseling, while 30 percent of patients in just the first few weeks of consultation are provided with palliative care counseling due to the advanced stage of their disease (Parast & Allaii, 2014). The introduction of social work early on will allow patients to be notified of the possible emotional and psychosocial impacts cancer can have on everyone involved. Making patients aware of resources early can also alleviate any stressors that are seen as barriers to their care.

2. Working collaboratively with the health care team to bridge social work with the medical model
Due to the increasing number of individuals diagnosed with cancer, the use of oncology social workers in health care settings can find the roots of illnesses and social problems in team work. Medical professionals solely focus on the medical model of health care, including an individual’s medical history, test results, symptoms and treatment. However, working collaboratively with the team will allow the social worker to help solve social problems in individual patients and their families that may influence their overall cancer care. Nonetheless, oncology social workers have the ability to change the physician-centered approach to a patient-centered approach within the health care system.

3. Encourage and support help through peer groups
Not only should we as oncology social workers foster a sense of community and support for the patients we serve, but for ourselves as well. In most cancer centers, the amount of available social workers is often limited. It is important that we utilize peer groups and organizations, such as AOSW, to encourage and empower one another in each of our respected areas. I challenge you to build a network within your department, community or even state level to stay connected and brainstorm additional ways to remove the stigma of patients utilizing social work supports and resources.
 

References

Ahmedani, B. (2011). Mental health stigma: Society, individuals, and the profession. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 8(2), 1553-6947.

Parast, S., & Allaii, B. (2014). The role of social work in health care system. Journal of Social Science for Policy Implications, 2(2), 59-68.

Zabora, J., BrintzenhofeSzoc, K., Curbow, B., Hooker, C., & Piantadosi, S. (2001). The prevalence of psychological distress by cancer site. Psycho-Oncology, 10(1), 19-28.