This is my final column as the AOSW Research Director, and I want to review some of the activities and accomplishments of the Research Committee over the last three years. In my view, the main function of the Research Committee is to serve as a bridge between oncology social work researchers and practitioners. My goal has been to make sure that this bridge goes two ways—that is, to enable researchers and practitioners to communicate with each other.

Facilitating Researcher–Practitioner Communication

AOSW has traditionally helped researchers access practitioners in several ways. For example, researchers who need access to oncology social workers in order to conduct research studies can advertise their research via the AOSW Listserv SWON, following review and approval of the proposed research by the Research and Executive Committees. When we review a request, we insure that the investigator is a member of AOSW (or has an AOSW member on the research team), that the research is sound and is likely to make a positive contribution to the oncology social work knowledge base, is consistent with AOSW’s mission and has been approved by an IRB. Over the last three years, we have taken steps to clarify and streamline the review process.

Another component of researcher–to–practitioner communication is the opportunity for AOSW researchers to present their research results at the annual conference. Over each of the last three years, the number of research-based presentations at conference has increased.

Increasing Practitioner Involvement in Research

Traditionally, oncology social workers make use of research findings by incorporating evidence-based or evidence-informed practices in their work with patients and families. The annual conference and the official AOSW sponsored journal, Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, are important ways that practitioners access research. In addition, we have used the AOSW Navigator articles to make membership aware of significant publications and studies. Also, we have added some highlights of study results and citations to the Research section of the AOSW webpage.

As well, we have developed new ways to facilitate connections between researchers and practitioners. When the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer added “distress screening” to the accreditation of 1,500 cancer centers in the U.S., the AOSW Research Committee developed several projects designed to expand knowledge of distress screening. We developed a special Issue of the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology on this topic, conducted and published a survey of our membership (BrintzenhofeSzoc et al., 2015), and developed a research project, APAQCC (A Project to Assure Quality Cancer Care). APAQCC expanded opportunities for OSW practitioners to get involved in research by recruiting 65 social workers and involving them in data collection on distress screening. Data from APAQCC’s research is now being used by practitioners to shape their practices.

Also, many APAQCC participants were eager to build on the experience and expand their research activities. Consequently, the Research Committee added skill-building “Learning Institutes” to the conference schedule. A second outcome was the reactivation of the Research Special Interest Group (formally called SWORG). The Research SIG has the potential to further facilitate communication between researchers and practitioners.

After the APAQCC project ended, the Research Committee, under the leadership of Brad Zebrack, developed an application to Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) for a “Patient Centered Research Collaborative Group for Psychosocial Oncology,” which was funded in September, 2016. The PCRC adds a new element to the research team—patient advocates. The oncology social workers, patient advocates and researchers are now involved in setting up the structure and goals of the PCRC. In the future, this structure should create a flow of patient-centered research projects to advance knowledge in oncology social work.

We developed the concept of adding a Research Institute to the Annual Conference schedule. In 2016, we conducted a post-conference Research Institute with Irwin Epstein as keynote. In 2017, we combined a preconference Research Institute with the first in-person meeting of the newly formed PCRC. Paul Jacobsen of NCI and NIH was the keynote speaker. I am delighted to inform you that in 2018, we will again offer a Research Institute for AOSW members and Annual Conference attendees. It will be held after the conference—from Friday evening, June 1, to noon on June 2. Once again, it will be free and will have some overlap with the PCRC meeting. While this is still in the planning stages, we will two offer exciting keynote speakers, several panels and opportunities for exploring and generating new ideas for research. In response to feedback from participants at the earlier Research Institutes, we will also offer some research skill-building as well as opportunities for consultation with researchers and practitioners in your own area of interest.

Conclusion

As I prepare to “pass the baton” to Sophia Smith, the incoming Research Director, I am confident that AOSW will continue to expand the knowledge base of oncology social work through research. Sophia is very well qualified to take on this role. She has a PhD from the University of North Carolina and is currently employed at Duke University School of Nursing. Sophia has been an active member of the Research Committee and has been the “research correspondent” for the AOSW Navigator. She brings a deep personal knowledge of cancer and its effects, as well as a strong and innovative background in survivorship research. Currently, she is conducting studies that use new forms of technology to advance survivorship care. I am confident that AOSW, under Sophia’s leadership, will continue to strengthen the bridge between research and practice. It is my hope that over time this space will get smaller and smaller, until this type of bridge is no longer needed.
 

Reference

BrintzenhofeSzoc, K., Davis, C., Kayser, K., Lee, H.Y., Nedjat-Haiem, F., Oktay, J.S., Zabora, J., & Zebrack, B. (2015). Screening for psychosocial distress: A national survey of oncology social workers. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 33(1) 33-47. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2014.977416

Bibliography

Zebrack, B., & Burg, M.A. (Eds.) (2012). Special Issue: Distress screening: Approaches and recommendations for oncology social workers. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 30(6).

Zebrack, B., Kayser, K., Oktay, J., Sundstrom, L., & Sachs, A. (In press). The Association of Oncology Social Work’s project to assure quality cancer care (APAQCC). Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.

Zebrack, B., Kayser, K., Bybee, D., Padgett, L., Sundstrom, L., Jobin, C., & Oktay, J. (2017). Distress screening adherence and medical service utilization. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Institute,15, (7):

http://www.jnccn.org/content/15/7/903.full

Zebrack, B., Kayser, K., Sundstrom, L., Savas, S. A., Henrickson, C., Acquati, C., & Tamas, R.L. (2015). Psychosocial distress screening implementation in cancer care: An analysis of adherence, responsiveness and acceptability. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 33, 1165-1170.

Zebrack, B., Kayser, K., Padgett, L., Sundstrom, L., Jobin, C., Nelson, K., & Fineberg, I.C. (2015). Institutional capacity to provide psychosocial oncology support services: A report from the Association of Oncology Social Work. Cancer, 122, 1937-1945.