Over the last year, AOSW’s former SIG on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM SIG) changed its name to the Integrative Oncology SIG, as recommended by the SIG members. The change is intended to reflect the fact that these approaches are not used just as an adjunct to conventional treatment, but are now ideally and practically being actualized as an integral part of managing cancer and its disease and treatment effects, and in reducing the risk of recurrence. In fact, integrative oncology approaches have increasingly become much more a part of the treatment landscape than in former years, as exhibited by our SIG members’ reports that most of their cancer centers currently offer at least some forms of complementary approaches (such as relaxation techniques, massage, energy therapies). While patients who are familiar and comfortable with integrative approaches may not need much education or encouragement to utilize such methods, some SIG members have recommended that our SIG devise a consistent message for oncology social workers to use in introducing these approaches to patients.

Other related visions that we as Co-Chairs and our members have for the renamed SIG include:

• Define the term “Integrative Oncology.”
• Determine the role of the oncology social worker vis-à-vis integrative oncology in the institution, and in the design, development and implementation of integrative oncology “services.”
• Encourage and train oncology social workers to help patients choose and communicate with the medical team about their desire to utilize integrative approaches.
• Encourage and train oncology social workers to provide social work knowledge and expertise about integrative oncology to the medical team to educate them about its use and benefits, and to help them communicate more effectively with patients about these methods.
• Train social workers to become part of planning any integrative oncology programs and services at SIG members’ cancer centers. How can we all work to increase the likelihood of the organization’s seeing social workers in this new light?
• Present and share ideas for funding programs, grants or finding creative ways to increase access (particularly financial access) to integrative services in the outpatient setting.
• Share additional education or training opportunities for social workers to add to their current services using modalities such as Reiki, nutrition, yoga, etc., in order for the social workers to directly provide some of the integrative therapies for patients.

Integrative Oncology SIG Leadership

To coincide with a future vision for the Integrative Oncology SIG, we are seeking new SIG leaders to carry out the increasingly cutting edge agenda as outlined by our members. Tracie, in addition to her oncology social work, will be taking on a much more active role teaching in a university setting. Joan has stayed on in her Co-Chair position for many years—beyond what has been recommended in SIG Leadership discussions—and is looking forward to expanding her private psychotherapy practice in addition to her oncology social work. We are excited to pass the baton to “new blood” who will have the energy and passion to carry out the visions identified by our SIG member. Hence, we are recruiting a Chair or Co-Chairs who would like to take on this exciting role.

Responsibilities & Qualifications of SIG Leaders

AOSW Director-at-Large Liaison, Larmender Davis, with input from various SIG Leaders, has recommended the following responsibilities and qualifications of SIG Leaders:

Job Summary

SIG leaders will serve as the liaison between the SIG members and the Director-at-Large assigned as liaison. SIG leaders will be appointed by the Director-at-Large to a two-year term with the option of extension.
    
Duties and Responsibilities

• Determine goals and objectives for the SIG, make suggestions for revisions/changes as needed.
• Facilitate and establish agenda for the SIG meeting at the AOSW Annual Conference,
• Be responsible for recruitment and training of his/her predecessor (rotation of SIG leaders is recommended a minimum of every three years).
• Communicate with members of the SIG at least twice per year via AOSW Navigator, website, email, etc.
• Contribute to the AOSW Navigator on a rotating basis, or delegate an author from one of the SIG members.
• Serve as a resource to AOSW for the SIG’s particular area of interest.
• Complete [short form] annual report to the Board of Directors [to be provided].

Qualifications

• Social work degree
• Active membership in AOSW
• Experience/interest in integrative oncology

If you have a passion for and any related experience with integrative oncology, and want to help steer the future of social work’s role in integrative oncology, please consider throwing your name into the hat to become part of this exciting 21st century movement! Those interested please email or call Joan Runfola at jrunfola@hch.org or 908.441.1503 (MWF).