Those diagnosed with cancer often can vividly remember the day they found out. The day their world shifted and life changed forever. The day of the week, the time of day. A patient told me several years ago, “It didn’t shift, it blew up.” The shared experience of living with a global pandemic has some …
The Intersection of Psychosocial Oncology and COVID Read More »
It is well documented that burnout in medical providers is common (Chen, 2012) and even higher in oncology (Whippen & Canellos, 1991). Self-care is a critical component to sustain a career in the medical field or helping profession. What is less well documented is self-care as a team-based approach. Research supporting a team-based approach for …
Helping Each Other, Helping Ourselves. Self-Care as a Team-Based Approach Read More »
Oncology social workers move up and down the dial of intensity from crisis counseling to the mundane taxi voucher. While we may be rushed, we want to be especially attentive to our patients’ deeper, emotional needs and their strong desire to cope.
Children’s Mercy is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the Midwest. Located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, it is a thriving hospital that is constantly changing and growing to meet the unique needs of the continuously expanding population of Kansas City and the surrounding area. Patients come to Children’s Mercy not only for the …
Despite immense advances in medicine, cancer continues to be an incredibly prevalent and life-altering illness. In the United States alone, more than 1.5 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. A large portion of those diagnosed with cancer are older adults, over the age of 65. Since this medically complex population often comes to …
The Oncology Care Model: A New Approach to Cancer Care Read More »
When asked why they joined this profession, I’ve heard many social workers answer that this career felt like a calling. It is something intangible within us, a desire to contribute to a greater good that draws us to pursue this path. As oncology social workers, we do this every day. Whether we are supporting patients …
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
I interviewed Claudia Posadas, a clinical social worker at the National Institute of Pediatrics (INP) in Mexico City. She evaluates potential hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) patients and their families for transplantation.
Within the daily practice of oncology social work, the present moment may hold the full expression of human life—joy, sorrow, strain, stress, celebration, fear and more. Any of these expressions of human life can be difficult to stay present to—we may want more of the good stuff and try to get away as fast as …
Professional Development: Mindfulness, Kindness and Oncology Social Work Read More »
H.B. went to the hospital with what he thought was a stubborn infection. Suddenly, he was processing the word no 34-year-old expects to hear—"cancer”—and needed to begin treatment immediately. The next few days were overwhelming, full of tests and procedures necessary to save his life. He was angry, difficult to approach physically and emotionally, and …
Sexuality SIG: Navigating Fertility and Sexual Health Education in Patients With Cancer Read More »