Social Work in the Oncology Setting Compared to Social Work in General Medical Settings: An Analysis of Findings From a Multisite Australian Social Work Practice Audit

Abstract

ABSTRACT Oncology social work provides services to individuals, groups, families, caregivers, and communities. As part of a larger audit of social work activities across 17 Victorian health services, a subanalysis was conducted to investigate social work practice in oncology (n = 49) compared to general medicine settings (n = 55). Social workers in oncology were more likely to address issues of adjustment to the condition, anxiety, and finances. Social workers in general medicine more frequently focused on dementia, elder abuse, and transition of clients to Residential Assisted Care. Oncology social workers conducted higher frequencies of interventions involving advocacy, brief or single session intervention, and counselling compared to general medicine, where discharge planning was significantly more common. Finally, oncology social workers were more likely to have used a narrative or supportive care model compared to the general medicine group. These findings can help better target training and upskilling of social workers for practice in different healthcare settings. IMPLICATIONS Audits of practice assist to describe the complex array of issues addressed by social work both within oncology and the broader healthcare settings. Identifying key interventions and emphases pertaining to oncology provides a focus for future evaluation of the effectiveness of social work practice across key domains within oncology. Better understanding of practice can lay the groundwork for targeted training programs to enhance social worker knowledge and skills in oncology and broader healthcare.