If you don’t already know, SIG is the acronym for Special Interest Group, and as an AOSW member, you have an added member benefit of access to any and all of our seventeen special interest groups (SIGs). These groups provide opportunities for increasing networking, knowledge and connecting with other oncology social workers who share similar …
Sexual health is a fundamental aspect of well-being, yet it remains one of the most overlooked components of cancer care. A cancer diagnosis and its treatments often bring profound changes that affect intimacy, body image, sexual function, and relationships. Research indicates that up to 87% of individuals living with cancer experience sexual health concerns, though …
The Vital Role of Sexual Health in Oncology Social Work Read More »
Roadmaps, the old-school paper fold-out guide, may be outdated with GPS on most phones today, but maps have long been valuable visual reminders of a trip, a journey about where one started traveling and what they saw and experienced along the way to the next destination. Visual maps also provide opportunities, options, and hope about …
The Development and Delivery of New Digital Oncology Mental Health Solutions The landscape of health care and the medium in which it is delivered continues to innovate toward digital health solutions, especially since the pandemic. With the prevalence of telehealth, health care workers, including social workers, are learning to navigate a virtual-based health system; the …
Increase Your Networking, Knowledge and Connections GOOOOOAAALL!! OK, so we aren’t at a soccer game (football for our friends around the world), but a new year often finds us creating professional and personal goals.
This year I had the privilege along with two of my colleagues to present at the AOSW Annual Conference in New Orleans. My own curiosity about conference attendees led me to look around on the Whova app. I came across a group chat by Hispanic members expressing a desire to form a Special Interest Group …
The Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) offers Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to its members. Yet some members might not know what a SIG entails and so might not join. This can mean a lost opportunity to network, learn and have fun! I am new to SIGs and have already found great value in being …
The clue: “They are niche communities that welcome all with the opportunities to learn, share and lead in an area of interest that can have a great impact on our patients and with us in contemporary social work practice” (Sandy Blackburn, Co-Leader, Spirituality SIG). The answer: “What are Special Interest Groups?”
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.
Recent changes in cancer care standards have led to increased distress screening in oncology social work. This has had many positive outcomes; screening itself, however, without effective follow-up services is not enough.