Oncology Social Workers Research Articles

Empowering survivors, elevating care: The vital role of oncology primary care clinics.

362 Background: Due to increasing numbers of cancer survivors, there is a greater focus on the longitudinal management of treatment-related comorbidities. Cancer survivors have increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, CV-related mortality, and second primary cancers (SPCs). Primary care providers (PCPs) are responsible for most of the care of long-term survivors, however, many report uncertainty around long-term effects and survivorship guidelines. While fostering strong primary care-oncology relationships is one approach to support those impacted by cancer, the development of oncology primary care clinics enhances patient outcomes and ensures patients receive comprehensive survivorship care. Despite this, few tertiary cancer care centers offer such clinics. Methods: In 2021, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center established an oncology primary care clinic. Patients are eligible if they have a current or prior cancer diagnosis or cancer hereditary syndrome (CHS). The clinic is comprised of two-family medicine physicians, one with survivorship experience, and one fellowship-trained in palliative and hospice medicine. Clinical team members include an RN with oncology experience, medical assistants, a clinical service specialist, two oncology clinical pharmacists, and an oncology social worker. A clinical registry was developed to longitudinally measure patient outcomes. Electronic medical records of patients (n=683) seen between 1/2021 and 1/2024 were extracted and entered in REDCap. Data was summarized using SAS. Results: The mean age was 56 years (range 20-93), and 12% received a diagnosis in the pediatric/adolescent/young adult age range (0-39 years). The most common types included breast (23%),hematologic cancers (15%), and CHS (16%). Notably 43% of patients are on active treatment and 53% completed or are on maintenance treatment. Over 61% struggle with obesity, while 45% report being a current or former smoker. Comorbidities were common with 79% of patients having at least one CV diagnosis. Of 57% patients eligible for cardiomyopathy screening, 78% received recommended echocardiograms. Many patients received their recommended screenings including breast (79%), colon (43%), cervical (56%), prostate (46%), and lung (55%). Patients were referred to a variety of supportive services including physical therapy (42%), cancer exercise (18%) and psychiatry (14%). Conclusions: This model of care is a viable option for connecting cancer survivors with PCPs knowledgeable about survivorship care. CV-related comorbidities were common, and their management is a critical need during and after cancer. Survivors have increased risk of SPCs, and while the number of patients up to date on recommended cancer screenings is low, screenings are on the rise with ongoing efforts. Patient registries enable objective measurement of outcomes and can inform future research and care.

Barriers and Facilitators to Pediatric Oncology Social Work Practice: A Qualitative Study

Background: Childhood cancer is significant due to its high prevalence and its impact on the entire family, resulting in various psychological, social, economic, and communication challenges for the families. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to pediatric oncology social work practices in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study used a content analysis method and involved 19 pediatric oncology social workers. We used a purposeful sampling method until data saturation was reached. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field observations and then analyzed. Results: This study demonstrated that the factors influencing social workers' practice include personal characteristics and interpersonal communication at the micro level, while barriers mainly consist of cultural, social, economic, organizational, and structural dimensions at the macro level. Conclusions: In order to better support children with cancer and their families, policymakers and health system managers need to give special attention to the status of social workers. Strengthening support systems and addressing the challenges they face can be effective in protecting the professional practices of these caregivers.

Delineation of core roles of oncology social workers in inpatient settings: a secondary data analysis

ABSTRACT There is limited literature on the roles and tasks conducted by oncology social workers (OSW) who work with cancer patients in inpatient units. The purpose of this study was to delineate the roles reported to be significant to practice among OSWs who practice in inpatient settings and to identify the domains into which these roles fall. The data used in this secondary data analysis were collected in a large national study of OSWs to delineate the roles and tasks across all cancer settings. The sample extracted for this study were 240 OSWs who endorsed providing direct care to cancer patients in inpatient settings. Exploratory factor analysis revealed eight factors made up of 34 tasks. The roles were aligned with three of the four service areas in the Association of Oncology Social Scope of Practice and seven of the nine competencies set forth by the Council of Social Work Education. The findings can be used to enhance communications about the roles of inpatient OSWs across OSW constituencies, increase awareness of the role supervision and consultation to ensure equitable and just practice, enhance social work coursework to prepare students to work in healthcare inpatient settings, and in future research.

From what works to what matters: Whole person cancer care and the integrative oncology leadership collaborative (IOLC).

e13567 Background: In 2021-2022, a two-year integrative oncology leadership collaborative ( IOLC ) was established with a goal to routinize whole person care. Thirteen cancer organizations met virtually 1-2x/month, including community, federal and academic centers. The IOLC defined whole person cancer care, adapted & tested open-source patient intake/PROs, education, and workflow resources from primary care, anchored in “what matters” for patients in oncology, and implemented practice change in their settings. Methods: Based on concepts and tools used in whole person primary care , and, with iterative discussion, the IOLC defined minimal required elements for whole person cancer care. Patient advocates, oncology social workers, physicians & nurses came together to draw from efforts that alleviate suffering in palliative, integrative, supportive, and other forms of (mostly) unreimbursed care. Six cancer survivor-advocate members vetted patient-facing resources. Subject matter experts reviewed topics important for clinical initiatives (e.g. group visit models , patient education resources ), shared best practices and solidified commitments to provide whole person care. To assess outcomes, a post-participation survey was fielded. Results: Minimal required elements (MREs) of whole person care were defined as: 1) inclusion of patient & caregiver voice in programming/care plans, 2) explicitly anchoring to “what matters” to the patient in shared decision making and goals of care (using PROs), and 3) supporting safe choices in complementary & integrative modalities. Challenges faced across organizations were: 1) leadership involvement, 2) patient understanding/engagement, 3) resource availability (time/financial), and 4) team alignment. Adaptation of primary care tools to oncology was successful; 15 “pocket guides” gained 2049 page views in 20 mos (top 3: cannabis 18%, nutrition 13%, patient advocacy 10%) and the American Cancer Society adopted the IOLC resources for distribution in 2024. Multi-institutional success occurred via publications and projects such as retooled nurse navigation, survivorship & wellness programs . Survey response rate was 54% (7 of 13 clinical sites). 89% increased whole person health services following IOLC participation (44% moderately or significantly). 100% reported use of the resources in patient care (55% often, 45% periodically). Conclusions: A definition of whole person cancer care, derived from broad consensus, identified MREs that allowed startup success across practice settings. An inclusive community of professionals & patients furthered whole person care with national impact, partnerships and culture change based on what matters to patients.

Oncology social workers' involvement in palliative care: Secondary data analysis from nationwide oncology social workers survey.

Social workers are vital in delivering psychosocial services in palliative care, yet their specific roles in palliative oncology remain undefined. This study aimed to delineate the current practice role of oncology social workers involvement in palliative care in the United States. This study utilized a cross-sectional design and involved secondary analysis of data from a nationwide survey focused on workforce conditions for oncology social workers. The participants were social workers who were directly involved in providing care to cancer patients and delivering palliative care services. They completed an online survey in which they indicated the relevance of 91 tasks related to their practice. The survey also collected individual demographic and work-related characteristics. Exploratory factor analysis was used to achieve the study objective. Responses from a secondary data set of 243 oncology social workers involved in palliative care results in a 6-factor solution comprising 34 tasks. These factors were identified as: Therapeutic Interventions for Individuals, Couples, and Families; Facilitate Patient Care Decision-making; Care Coordination; Assessment and Emotional Support; Organization and Community Service; and Equity and Justice. All 6 factors demonstrated good internal reliability, as indicated by Cronbach's alpha scores above 0.70. The findings can be used to develop job descriptions and education for social workers employed in palliative cancer care. The clear role descriptions also make social work visible to other professionals in palliative oncology. By clarifying the roles of oncology social workers, this study contributes to the improvement of palliative care delivery and enhances interprofessional collaboration within cancer care teams.

Resilience among Caregivers of the Pediatric Cancer Patients

Abstract Backgound: Studies portray that one in every nine Indians develops cancer during their lifetime. Admissions to the Pediatric Oncology departments are increasing like any other department. Cancer affects not only the patients but also their caregivers both physically and psychologically. Aims and Objectives: In this scenario, the study aims to understand the caregivers’ level of resilience and the associated risk and protective factors. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Kerala. Sixty caregivers of the children in the age group between 1-17 years, diagnosed with cancer were selected for the study. Mexican Resilience Scale and self-prepared interview schedule were used to collect the quantitative data. Qualitative data were collected using an in-depth interview guide. Results: The study found that the majority of the respondents are moderately resilient, with men exhibiting higher resilience than women. The prime factors contributing to resilience were identified as strength and self-confidence, social competence, family support, social support, and structure. The study further identified individual factors (flexibility, emotional stability, etc.), familial factors (positive family environment), and community factors (support from NGOs and support groups, etc.) as protective factors contributing to resilience. Additionally, the study revealed how individual (lack of emotional stability, introverted nature, etc.), familial (relationship issues), and community (social perceptions about the disease) levels of risk factors impact resilience. Conclusion: The importance of strengthening the support systems around the caregivers and importance of oncology social worker to deal with the psychosocial issues of patients and caregivers are also discussed in this paper.

Identifying Key Barriers for Radiation Oncology Financial Advocacy Programs

Financial toxicity is a devastating outcome for patients with cancer and can impact their treatment adherence and health outcomes. One survey reveals that most radiation oncologists are "very concerned" with the negative impact treatment-related costs have on patients, and another survey found that more than 20 percent of patients experience financial toxicity related to their radiation therapy treatment. Financial advocates within cancer programs and practices can help mitigate patients' financial toxicity by supporting shared decision-making and helping with treatment cost planning. In 2022, ACCC set out to explore how financial advocates in radiation oncology provide financial navigation to patients with cancer and address the challenges they may face. Identify barriers to financial toxicity mitigation and treatment access challenges for patients with cancer undergoing radiation therapy. ACCC worked with an expert multidisciplinary Financial Advocacy Network Advisory Committee to conduct two, semi-structured discussion sessions on financial advocacy in radiation oncology. Prepared discussion topics included challenges and opportunities in delivering financial advocacy services, financial barriers to care and strategies to mitigate financial toxicity, and processes for prior authorizations and claim denials in the radiation oncology setting. Twenty-one participants attended the first session, and 17 participants attended the second session. Participants included financial navigators and counselors, oncology social workers, nurse navigators, and cancer program or practice administrators. Three major challenges emerged from both sessions: (1) Inadequate financial assistance from independent, charitable foundations to help pay for patients' deductibles, additional radiation treatment out-of-pocket costs, and care-related transportation costs. (2) Lack of best practices to handle prior authorization and avoid denials. (3) Lack of preparedness for changes imposed by the Radiation Oncology (RO) Model, which would impact care planning. Many cancer programs and practices have implemented financial advocacy services but remain restricted in the available assistance for radiation therapy patients. Radiation therapy represents a significant component of anti-cancer treatment and addressing the lack of financial support for patients is critical to improving patients' treatment adherence and health outcomes. Payment policies must be reformed to address complex prior authorization requirements and patients would benefit from greater financial support for radiation treatment and costs of wrap-around supportive services.

Developing Antiracist Social Work Practice at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The combination of the ongoing violence perpetuated against Black, Brown, and Asian people, and the increased incidence of death of Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, elicited an important response from the field of social work across the nation. This article describes the efforts undertaken by a Social Work Department at a comprehensive cancer center in response to a call to develop antiracist practice. This article recounts the process of creating educational opportunities for oncology social workers to help them identify bias and racism in themselves and throughout the healthcare system, to embrace intentional antiracist practice, and to better advocate for BIPOC/AAPI patients and colleagues. The strategies included the development of an antiracism committee, the use of a social location exercise to influence and disrupt white supremacy, the creation of community guidelines for engaging in conversations about race, and the formulation of a new departmental policy ensuring a commitment to antiracist social work practice. In addition, a forum using multimedia was created to explore racial dynamics and to highlight the narratives of BIPOC and AAPI people. Further, a monthly Antiracist Clinical Case Conference was implemented to explore their role in the context of working with the interdisciplinary team in an oncology setting. This article concludes with recommendations for ongoing antiracist social work practice development that may be applied in various healthcare settings.

A novel program to address acute food insecurity among patients with cancer in Philadelphia.

e18739 Background: Acute food insecurity (FI) is a significant yet poorly understood social risk factor facing cancer patients, with a prevalence greater than that of the general U.S. population. FI poses a particular risk for cancer patients, as FI-induced malnutrition is associated with fatigue, stress, depression, and a weakened immunological response to infection. Legacy of Hope is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA providing emergency support to cancer patients in financial distress. Partnering with local grocery stores to supply the food and local police districts to deliver the groceries, Legacy of Hope receives patient referrals from social workers at cancer centers in Philadelphia to identify patients and families in need. Cancer patients can receive one or more bi-weekly grocery deliveries until their acute FI needs are addressed. Legacy of Hope documents and tracks metrics associated with the patients who are served by the program. Beginning in 2023 is direct participant evaluation of the program, assessing outcomes in acute anxiety, quality of life, and acute FI. Methods: Legacy of Hope receives ongoing referrals from oncology social workers about cancer patients in need. Legacy of Hope documents the cancer diagnosis, age, race/ethnicity, and gender of the cancer patient as well as the size of the household and the number of children living in the house. Additionally, a participant evaluation survey collects data via an online survey at two time points: first, at the time of their grocery delivery and second, two weeks after the delivery. The survey uses validated measures (FACT-G7) to assess changes in quality of life and anxiety, as well as acute FI, over the two-week time period. Standard statistics, including a paired t-test, will evaluate the changes in the outcome measures of interest. Results: Legacy of Hope has served more than 1600 cancer patients representing more than 2000 food deliveries. About half (52.2%) were female and 58% were African American. The mean age was 60 years old. Breast cancer was the most common diagnosis (18%), followed by lung (8%) and colorectal cancer (5%), although almost all cancers are represented in the database. One in five patients (21%) lived alone, but most (45%) had between 2 and 3 persons in their household. Children were present in the home 21% of the time. Data for the participant evaluation survey will be available in Spring 2023. Conclusions: Acute FI is prevalent and devastating for cancer patients, although few resources exist within cancer centers to adequately address it. Legacy of Hope fills this gap through a novel program that leverages sustainable and trusted partnerships with local food distributors, civic organizations, and oncology social work teams at cancer centers throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

Knowledge and Practice of Oncology Social Workers in the Management of Cancer Patients at UNTH Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

The increasing number of patients living with cancer as a chronic disease stresses the importance of paying attention to rehabilitative and psychosocial care which is the major role of oncology social workers. The study aimed at appraising the knowledge and practice of oncology social workers among cancer patients in UNTH. The study adopted the questionnaire and in-depth interview guide in generating data to answer research questions and test hypotheses. Responses to questionnaire were elicited from 574 respondents while the in-depth interview had 10 participants. Responses to questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively using SPSS version 20, while those for in-depth interview were analyzed thematically to complement the quantitative data. Hypotheses were tested using Chi-square (χ2), while the long-run significance of certain predictor variables on the dependent variable was ascertained using binary logistic regression. Findings from the study revealed that majority of respondents had no knowledge of oncology social work. Place of residence and level of education had significant relationship with knowledge of oncology social work at (p<0.000) and (p<0.038) respectively, while patient status had no significant relationship with benefits from oncology social work services; they were all confirmed in the binary logistic regression analysis except level of education. Given the poor knowledge of oncology social work among cancer patients, the study established a case for social work. Therefore, specific programmes like outreach programmes and enlightenment campaigns on the importance of oncology social work for cancer patients of all socio-economic background as well as those with lower level of education, their families, health practitioners among others should be made available with the aim of improving their knowledge and accessibility of oncology social work.

Education Moderates the Association between Depressive Symptoms and Self-Rated Health among Older Adults with Cancer.

This study examined the association between depressive symptoms and self-rated health (SRH) and whether and how such association varies by education among older adults with cancer. Data came from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey. A total of 2,470 participants aged 65 or older who had been diagnosed with cancer by a doctor or other health professional were included in this study. Ordinal logistic regression was used to examine the association between depressive symptoms and SRH and whether and how such association varies by education among older adults with cancer. More depressive symptoms were associated with worse SRH. Such association became stronger with higher education among older adults with cancer. Findings confirm the associations between depressive symptoms and SRH among older adults with cancer. The differential impact of education on SRH and on the association between depressive symptoms and SRH highlights the importance of considering patients' educational attainment in a more comprehensive way when working with older adults with cancer. When conducting distress screening among cancer survivors, oncology social workers should be aware of the complex relationship between education and depression in relation to cancer survivors' SRH.

"We're in this together": Perceived effects of breast cancer on African American survivors' marital relationships.

We examined married African American breast cancer survivors' perceptions of how cancer affected their marriage, social support from their spouses, and spouses' physical and mental health. We conducted a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 married African American breast cancer survivors who had participated in a larger randomized controlled trial. Interviews were professionally transcribed and then independently coded by two coders. Themes emerged related to the challenges of maintaining mutually supportive relationships. There was variability in the perceived effects of cancer on relationships, as well as uncertainty about cancer's effects on their husbands' emotional and physical health and the adequacy of emotional and tangible support from their husbands. Participants described husbands' key role in promoting wives' positive body image, as well as the challenges of negotiating sexual activity. Participants were receptive to help from medical professionals in dealing with relationship issues. Findings show variability in couples' responses to cancer, with some patients and couples adapting well and others needing additional support. During treatment and at follow-up, oncology social workers can assess patients' and family members' social support needs, provide mental health services, and provide patient navigation to help patients and caregivers access health care and community resources.

“Like pouring salt in a wound”: A qualitative exploration of the consequences of unmet housing needs for cancer patients and survivors in New York City

Objective To identify consequences of unmet housing needs in the period following cancer diagnosis. Design Qualitative descriptive design. Participants New York City-based cancer patients and survivors (n = 21) who reported experience of unmet housing needs while receiving cancer treatment. Key informants (n = 9) with relevant expertise (e.g. oncology social workers). Methods One-time semi-structured telephone or in-person interviews were conducted with all participants. Inductive thematic coding was conducted using a pragmatic paradigm. Findings Four categories of consequences emerged: 1) cancer management and health (rest and recovery, illness/injury risk, medical care); 2) psychological (stress and anxiety, lack of control and independence, self-esteem/pride, sadness/depression, cancer coping); 3) social (relationships, consequences for others, isolation); and 4) standard of functional living. Conclusion The simultaneous experience of cancer and unmet housing needs is broadly burdensome. Implications for Psychosocial Providers Screening and resources for addressing unmet housing needs must be prioritized to holistically care for patients.

When lightning strikes twice: Perceptions of oncology social workers about working with families with two members in treatment.

Families with a parent and child concurrently receiving cancer treatment are not common, but their needs are typically more complex than families with only one member in treatment. They have a heightened sense of loss, vulnerability, and mortality. The study purpose was to: (1) describe quality of life, social support, resiliency, and loss for these families; and (2) describe how healthcare teams can support these families. This was a qualitative study with 20 oncology social workers who had worked with families with a parent and child concurrently receiving treatment for cancer within the past five years. The interview included questions about the emotional, social, financial, and other needs of these families, as well as their social support, quality of life, loss, and resiliency. Three themes emerged from the data: 1. Increased demands on the family with a concurrent cancer treatment, including emotional, financial, and logistical challenges for the ill parent and child and for the healthy parent and siblings; 2. Greater resilience and coping skills were experienced by some families; and 3. Implications for the healthcare team, including emotional distress in treating these families, challenges in treatment adherence, and providing the necessary support to these families. Supporting these families is challenging for social workers and other members of the healthcare team. Understanding the emotional, financial and logistical needs of these families, and coordinating their care across the adult and pediatric teams, will better support the patients, as well as the healthcare providers who work with them.

Depression screening and use of supportive care services in prostate cancer.

219 Background: Patients with prostate cancer (PC) have high rates of depression (15-20%), which is associated with worse oncologic outcomes. The PHQ-9 is commonly used in depression screening, but men with depression may present differently than women, and male-specific screening tools such as the Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS) have also been developed and validated. The use of supportive care services in men with PC and depression is not well-described. Methods: Men with ≥1 Urology or Medical Oncology clinic visit for PC in the prior 6 months were emailed the PHQ-9 and GMDS every 60 days. Men who screened positive (score ≥10 on PHQ-9 or ≥13 on GMDS, consistent with moderate to severe depression) were contacted by phone to discuss the positive screen; during that conversation patients were offered a referral to an oncology social worker for a formal needs assessment and connection to supportive care services. Patient characteristics and use of supportive care services (palliative care, psychiatry, counseling, support groups, or spiritual health) at baseline and as a result of study screening were collected by survey and chart review. Results: Between 6/2021-12/2021, 201 men enrolled (Table). 184 completed ≥2 screens with mean follow-up 6.5 months (SD 1.3). 31 men (15.4%) had ≥1 positive PHQ-9 screen and 11 (5.5%) had ≥1 positive GMDS screen, 9 of whom also screened positive on the PHQ-9. Of the 33 men offered clinical social work referrals based on PHQ-9 or GMDS screening, 12 (36%) initially accepted and 7 (21%) ultimately met with social work. Of these 7 men, two ultimately received ongoing supportive counseling from social work, two were referred to support groups or peers in the community, and one was referred to financial services; the remaining two men were not followed longitudinally or referred to any services by the social worker, but were given the option to re-contact the social worker as needed. For the two patients who screened positive on the GMDS but not the PHQ-9, one declined social work referral, and one initially accepted but never scheduled an appointment. Conclusions: Use of supportive care services in men with PC was low, including when services were actively offered as a result of depression screening. Beyond the PHQ-9, the GMDS did not identify any men who engaged in supportive care services. More work is needed to optimally identify men with PC who may benefit from supportive care services and barriers to use.[Table: see text]

Reflections of Moral Suffering, Resilience, and Wisdom of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the lives of pediatric oncology social workers. Challenges include difficulty building rapport with the use of telephone/computers, lack of clarity around who is designated as “essential”, structural challenges, isolation, and witnessing distress. This study aimed to describe the ways that the pandemic has personally impacted pediatric oncology social workers. Methods: Participants were recruited through the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW) listserv. In total, 101 participants from 31 states and the District of Columbia completed an online survey containing quantitative and open-ended questions. Qualitative data analysis included thematic analysis of participants’ optional survey responses to three open-ended questions. Results: Fifty-seven of the participants provided responses that revealed 3 first level codes and 11 second level codes. First level codes were developed a priori from the questions: Experiences that stay with you, Wisdom gained and Impact on your work. Pandemic-related challenges caused moral suffering and professional challenges for participants but also created opportunities to find meaning in their work. Conclusion: Data illuminated moral suffering, unrecognized resilience, new ways of maintaining self-and family care, and creative approaches to care of children with cancer and their families at diagnosis, during treatments and at the end of life.

Dissemination of an evidence-based behavioral intervention to alleviate distress in caregivers of children recently diagnosed with cancer: Bright IDEAS.

Four multisite randomized clinical trials of>1400 caregivers of children newly diagnosed with cancer showed that the Bright IDEAS (BI) paradigm of problem-solving skills training is an acceptable and efficacious approach to alleviating the high levels of distress they experience. To facilitate providing evidence-based caregiver support as recommended in the pediatric oncology standards of care, the project described here was designed to disseminate BI to 200 psychosocial professionals. We partnered with the Children's Oncology Group (COG), Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW), Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON), and special interest group in pediatric hematology/oncology of the Society for Pediatric Psychology (SPP). Membership surveys revealed substantial enthusiasm for training in BI. We structured training to include review of the evidence base for BI, role plays, and strategies for implementation at individual sites. Four conference calls designed to enhance implementation were held one, two, three, and five months after training. Ten 1.5-day workshops were held in conjunction with annual meetings of COG, APOSW, APHON, and SPP. A total of 209 psychosocial clinicians from 134 sites were trained. Evaluations were highly favorable. Trainees had provided BI to 545 individuals as of the last conference call. Initial dissemination goals were met. BI is now available at numerous pediatric oncology centers, but it has not become part of routine care. Future work focused on implementation might consider top-down approaches that include direct communication with pediatric oncologists and hospital leaders about the benefits of incorporating this evidence-based intervention systemically.

Lessons learned from a social worker’s approach to advance care planning discussions with Chinese-immigrant oncology outpatients

Purpose To examine Chinese-immigrant cancer patients’ openness to advance care planning (ACP) in an outpatient oncology setting. Design Retrospective review of social work assessment data. Sample 150 Chinese-immigrant patient charts were reviewed (55% Cantonese, 45% Mandarin). Methods Data were summarized descriptively and with logistic regression analyses. Findings Sixteen percent of patients had completed ACP prior to meeting with the oncology social worker (OSW). Twenty percent of patients agreed to complete a health care proxy (HCP) after receiving culturally-tailored education in their language of origin from the OSW, while 75% remained open to ongoing consideration of ACP and HCP completion. Conclusions This study illuminates how Chinese immigrants engage in ACP discussions in an oncology setting. Implications for psychosocial provider OSWs can play an integral role in advocating, educating, and intervening with this population and can assist the interdisciplinary team in understanding the importance of the cultural differences, even if the OSW’s primary language differs from that of a patient’s.

Salary and student loan debt for oncology social workers: Findings from the oncology social work competencies, opportunities, roles and expertise (CORE) survey

Purpose To better understand the current salaries and student loan debt levels among oncology social workers (OSWs). Design Cross-sectional study using online survey. Sample OSWs across a variety of cancer care settings in the U.S. (n = 1055). Methods Salary and debt were collected via single ordinal variables. Crosstabs and chi-square tests were used to examine whether salary and debt differ by demographic and work-related characteristics. Findings Median OSW salaries ranged from $60,001 to $70,000. Three-fourths of OSWs reported having student loan debt. Younger and recently graduated OSWs and OSWs of color were more likely to have greater student loan debt than their counterparts. Conclusions Relative low salary and debt burden have important implications for securing a current and future OSW workforce. Implications for Psychosocial Policy Adequate reimbursement and loan repayment opportunities for frontline OSWs will better secure this workforce. Advocacy efforts to identify OSWs qualified for loan forgiveness programs are warranted.

National organization addresses multidisciplinary oncology team burnout and resiliency through multifaceted presidential theme education initiative.

e23017 Background: The 2021-2022 Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) President’s Theme centered on strengthening a work culture that supports professional well-being and workforce resilience. To support this theme and help ensure sustainable high quality cancer care delivery, ACCC —an education and advocacy organization for the multidisciplinary oncology care team (MDT)—designed a multifaceted professional development initiative. Educational interventions were designed to address team member burnout and building resilience, critical issues facing members of today’s oncology workforce. Methods: ACCC designed a collaborative and bi-directional peer-support educational initiative to drive the mission of the 2021-2022 ACCC President’s Theme. Professional Development opportunities included: 1) Expert-led mindfulness meditation series of 10 guided exercises tailored to help MDT members manage through social, emotional, physical, and mental health challenges. 2) Professional development themed virtual meetings, styled as “Coffee Chat Learning Sessions,” facilitated by the ACCC President, addressing emergent challenges and opportunities facing MDT members. 3) Podcast series featuring timely topics related to MDT well-being and resiliency amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. Podcast topics include a) The Business Case for Hiring Oncology Social Workers. b) Leading with Gratitude. c) Coping with Pandemic Grief. d) A Summer of Disconnect for Cancer Professionals. e) COVID-19 Self-Care. f) Real-World Lessons from COVID-19. Results: The education initiative reached a diverse cohort of oncology care community members. 76 unique professionals participated in the small group “Coffee Chat Learning Sessions” from 25 states and represented 72 unique cancer care programs, practices, and institutions. The meditation series engaged more than 1,100 users and the podcast series garnered 1,870 learners. The podcast episode titled “COVID-19 Self Care” was the third most accessed ACCC Podcast episode of all time with more than 680 views. Over 2,900 learners accessed and engaged with the ACCC President’s Theme resources across the dedicated webpage from March 2021-January 2022. Conclusions: Anecdotal learner feedback has been overwhelmingly positive regarding this professional development educational initiative. In a climate of high burnout and health care worker fatigue, the ACCC 2021-2022 President’s Theme Education program has served as a unique lifeline and resource to members of the oncology community to restore and develop resiliency, enhance well-being, and advance professional connections and peer-to-peer support to meet continued challenges. Lessons learned from these activities will guide and inform future professional development opportunities.