AOSW Connections
Editorial Team
Editor-in-Chief
Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW
AOSW Communications Director
Jeanice Hansen, LCSW, OSW-C
Managing Editor
Patricia Sullivan
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To submit a story or information for inclusion in a future issue of AOSW Newsletter, contact Amy Colver or Melody Griffith on the list above.
June 2017
Volume 3 | Issue 3
President's Message
President's Message: Around AOSW
Leadership in oncology care is often a struggle between the tensions of social work values for a just society pitted against the unfairness of inequitable environments. It is one thing to claim our power as oncology social workers when we are together at an AOSW conference. It is harder to sustain that authority when we go back into the world of health care inequities, inadequate staffing and vicarious trauma. The brief retreat into AOSW’s conference restores my professional soul. However, I need an ongoing connection to reinforce me throughout the year. I am thankful AOSW is present for me.
AOSW Conference
2017 AOSW 33rd Annual Conference: We Couldn't Have Done It Without You!
The 2017 AOSW 33rd Annual Conference is now one for the history books! From onsite discussion, emails received by Board and staff, and the enthusiastic commentary on SWON, it’s clear that the number of attendees (highest attended conference in AOSW history), the depth and quality of the content (shout out to all presenters and everyone involved with PCRC), and the opportunities for networking have never been better!
Committee Updates
Director's Report: A Message from AOSW’s New Director-at-Large
The two Director-at-Large positions on the AOSW Board of Directors oversee the State Representatives and the Special Interest Group (SIG) leaders to help with onboarding, development, planning and problem solving. We also serve on other AOSW committees and work on special Board projects. I thank the current Board members for their warm welcome to me when I began my term in January 2017. I am impressed with the expertise of my fellow Board members and their dedication to promoting and positioning our organization.
Education
Resources: How Social Workers Can Meet the Unique Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
People diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39 are commonly referred to as the adolescent and young adults (AYA) population. To date, this group is sometimes misunderstood and often underserved. Sage Bolte (2015) states, “Young adults with cancer experience higher risks of mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thinking, than do older cancer patients." (p. 52) In addition, AYAs with cancer face issues and concerns that differ from those of children or older adults with cancer (Katz, 2015).
Director's Report—Education
Many of you were able to attend the 2017 AOSW Annual Conference in Denver. I hope you left energized and ready to apply lessons learned to your particular roles in oncology social work. Be on the lookout for a more in-depth review of the Annual Conference in the next issue of the AOSW Navigator. And huge thanks to the 2017 Annual Conference Committee: Meredith Cammarata (Chair), Christina Bach, Morgan Gonzales, Joyce Hendershot, Kate McFadien, Jill Randall and our management team at Kellen. They all worked tirelessly to produce an exceptional conference!
Clinical Content
Clinical Content: Understanding Privacy Protections and Disclosure Decisions
We have come a long way from when the word “cancer” was never spoken and people kept their diagnosis a secret because of the stigma and shame that was often attached to cancer.
Resources: How Social Workers Can Meet the Unique Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
People diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39 are commonly referred to as the adolescent and young adults (AYA) population. To date, this group is sometimes misunderstood and often underserved. Sage Bolte (2015) states, “Young adults with cancer experience higher risks of mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thinking, than do older cancer patients." (p. 52) In addition, AYAs with cancer face issues and concerns that differ from those of children or older adults with cancer (Katz, 2015).
SIG Updates
Patient Navigation SIG: My Life as a Navigator
Today I’m outside the interventional radiology hallway waiting for one of my patients to come in for a biopsy. This is a patient who had a lumpectomy and radiation four years ago and has been on endocrine therapy to prevent recurrence. Now she has had some abnormal imaging, thus the need for a biopsy. I know she will be thinking the worst and be very scared—so I’m waiting to give her a hug and some positive thoughts. Her face lights up when she sees me. Later she emails me that everything went well. It is moments like these that make me glad I decided to become a breast patient navigator.
Ambulatory Care/Fee For Service SIG: The Stigma Within Oncology Social Work
Do you ever imagine a world filled with people who confidently utilize social supports without fear of being scrutinized, discriminated against or judged? How could this way of thinking impact the social work profession? Or better yet, the influence it may have on the way we as social workers practice?
Director's Report: A Message from AOSW’s New Director-at-Large
The two Director-at-Large positions on the AOSW Board of Directors oversee the State Representatives and the Special Interest Group (SIG) leaders to help with onboarding, development, planning and problem solving. We also serve on other AOSW committees and work on special Board projects. I thank the current Board members for their warm welcome to me when I began my term in January 2017. I am impressed with the expertise of my fellow Board members and their dedication to promoting and positioning our organization.
Research
Research Report: Medical Apps - Do They Really Work? An Example of How Research Can Help
Your clients are downloading thousands of apps from the AppStore and GooglePlay to help them manage their symptoms, retrieve medical information, and encourage healthy behaviors like portion control and physical activity. For example, the American Heart Association (2015) reported that there were more than 6,300 exercise and 3,800 weight loss apps available in the AppStore. However, what do we really know about their effectiveness? Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research evidence and there are reports that some developers may be misleading consumers by inflating their apps’ capabilities.
Book Review
"Childhood Cancer: A Parent’s Guide to Solid Tumors," by Anne Spurgeon and Nancy Keene
I felt compelled to approach my review for this well organized and highly informative book as both an oncology social worker and a parent. Although I serve an adult oncology population, I am familiar enough with the overarching medical and psychosocial aspects of oncology care to say this is one of the most well-crafted, honest and sensitive resources I’ve encountered.
Kudos
Kudos: Achievements of AOSW Members
Thank you to everyone who shared their unique and impressive reasons to recognize Oncology Social Workers. It is an honor to share membership with such talented, knowledgeable and passionate social workers. As always, this is just a small sampling of the incredible work we are doing. You deserve recognition for your commitment to provide the highest quality of oncology social work care to every patient we encounter. So, thank you to all those listed below, and to each one of you for furthering your expertise and our profession!
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight: Patrice Al-Shatti, LMSW
How long have you been an oncology social worker?
I have been an oncology social worker for 19 years. Before that, I worked in geriatric social work for 14 years.