The Interface of Emergency Department, Oncology, and Palliative Social Work: Psychosocial Interventions in Oncologic Emergencies

Abstract

Social workers are key interdisciplinary team members who support oncology patients and their families across the continuum of cancer care, from the time of initial diagnosis through end-of-life and in various care settings. The roles of the emergency department (ED) and palliative care social worker are both complex and complementary in providing support to oncology patients/families in the ED. To ensure continuity of care and avoid duplication of services, social workers in the fields of ED, oncology, and palliative care work together to employ strategies and initiatives that improve cancer care across all settings. Among other positive outcomes, such interdisciplinary care serves to minimize unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations. This chapter examines social work’s involvement with oncology patients in the ED, as well as the oncology social work role in the outpatient setting, and suggests psychosocial interventions that may be utilized with this population. Current and future initiatives are proposed among ED, oncology and palliative social workers for patients/families with oncologic emergencies.