Social Work Month and World Social Work Day
Posted about 2 months ago in Awareness
March is Social Work Month and March 19 is World Social Work Day.
What Do Oncology Social Workers Do?
Oncology Social Workers are patient centered and have additional expertise and specialized clinical training in the meaning and impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients and their families. They focus on the psychosocial impact on the patient and family. Oncology social workers may assist patients with a wide range of concerns, including issues faced by patients at every stage of the cancer journey. This management can range from distress and depression screening to assisting with transportation issues. It can encompass educating patients (and their caregivers) about stress management and self-care. It can entail working with parents on how to talk about cancer in an age-appropriate way with their children or with employees on how to discuss their needs with their employers, and extend to finding community resources to assist with a number of problems. And, at times, it is sitting with a family facing the loss of a beloved family member.
Taken from the online article Oncology Social Workers' Role in Patient-Centered Care by Fran Becker, LCSW, OSW-C (2017).
Online Articles
- 5 Ways Oncology Social Workers Can Help After a Cancer Diagnosis
- Spotlight On: Oncology Social Workers
Organizations with Social Workers
- CancerCare - professional oncology social workers provide free emotional and practical support for people with cancer, caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved. They have one on one counseling, support groups, case management, podcasts and more.
- Cancer Care Services - Tarrant County service supports cancer patients, cares for caregivers, and empowers survivors to reduce the impact of cancer.
- Cancer Support Community - uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. They also staff a Cancer Support Helpline 888-793-9355.
- Cancer Support Community North Texas - help cancer patients and their loved ones cope through support groups, individual counseling, healthy lifestyle activities, social events, resources, and children’s programs. They have events at their 3 local club houses and remotely through zoom. Patricia Callahan LCSW, Cancer Resource Specialist & Spanish Services Manager, provides additional assistance helping patients find resources and answers to questions.
Professional Social Work Organizations
- Association of Oncology Social Work https://aosw.org/
- National Association of Social Workers https://www.socialworkers.org/