Patient and staff perceptions of social worker counseling before surgical therapy for head and neck cancer.

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Patients who undergo surgical therapy for head and neck cancer often face a tremendous challenge involving considerable psychological distress and impaired social functioning. These difficulties are often compounded by logistical difficulties such as transportation, financial assistance, and continuity of care after the acute hospitalization. Social workers have a unique opportunity to address the psychosocial and logistical issues facing these patients through preadmission counseling and coordination. The study reported in this article aimed to assess the effect of preadmission counseling for patients planning to undergo major surgical therapy for head and neck cancer. Ten patients who received preadmission counseling were surveyed to ascertain the utility of it in regard to multiple social and logistical factors. Comparisons were made with patients who did not receive such counseling. Staff perceptions were likewise obtained. The surveys indicated that preadmission counseling helped in regard to improving peri-admission support and access to financial and logistical resources, and lowered levels of anxiety during admission. Areas of potential improvement were identified, including addressing substance abuse issues in a timely manner.