As oncology social workers, one of our biggest roles is finding ways to support our patients. This can mean offering supportive counseling, providing access to financial resources and building support programs that allow patients to connect with their peers.

Patients, families and caregivers have all been shown to benefit from the implementation of support groups. Numerous support groups have been implemented in our practice. Some are chapters of nationwide support groups—such as Men Helping Men, Look Good Feel Better, and Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer. Others have been started to address needs of specific populations, e.g., people with gynecological cancer and lung cancer. Though the specific groups implemented at different oncology practices and hospitals are dependent on the needs of each office, all offices have something to be gained through support programing.

Support programs can come in many forms. The recent emphasis on survivorship planning and distress screening has led to the development of support programs in most oncology offices. In an effort to enhance the patient experience, a group can be formed for patients who have completed treatment and want to share their experiences with new patients. Essentially, these patient ambassadors are able to provide support while also healing through sharing their personal journey through cancer treatment.

Online support groups are also a great option for patients who are too ill to attend a group in person. Communities offering online support for cancer patients have been shown to be effective in multiple studies (Gottlieb & Wachala, 2007). Oncology social workers need to be aware of online communities and the benefits provided to patients and caregivers. Caregivers often experience additional stresses, especially when they are the sole caregiver and feel they cannot leave the patient alone. Online and telephonic support communities are great options for this population.

Patients who receive daily radiation treatment can develop a high degree of stress involving fear of loss of work time and financial stability, difficulty accessing transportation and anxiety around medical equipment such as the masks that cover some patients’ heads. Also, we often see fears of developing a secondary malignancy and the emotional distress of physically going through cancer treatment. Studies have shown that professionally led support groups designed for cancer communities, even ones diverse in nature, have produced remarkably positive effects on the psychosocial functioning of their members. Consumer satisfaction and outcome evaluations of support groups demonstrate benefits in morale and quality of life in cancer patients and caregivers (Gottlieb & Wachala, 2007).