Oncology Social Work
Chances are you may have never heard of oncology social workers unless you or a family member had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and had received services from one. Here you will a find a little about what an oncology social worker is, what they can help with and how to locate one.
Oncology social work is the primary profession that provides
psychosocial services to patients, their families, and caregivers. We
are an integral part of the healthcare team. We are knowledgeable
about cancer, the psychosocial effects of this disease and treatment,
appropriate interventions and survivorshipship issues. A social
worker's training allows the focus to be on your strengths, and helps
you build upon them.
Oncology social workers offer a variety of services for people with
brain tumors and their families including education, support,
counseling, and help locating resources. Services are offered to
patients, families, and caregivers through all phases of the
experience.
Some of the goals can include
Teaching coping techniques in order to help cancer survivors maintain or improve quality of life
Assisting patients in navigating through health care systems to help them achieve quality care
Advocating with, or on behalf of, survivors, families, and caregivers to address their needs
Identifying local social service programs that will benefit them
Oncology social workers are found in a variety of settings, including
healthcare, outpatient clinics, schools, home care agencies, community
wellness programs, patient advocacy groups and other settings.
Locating a social worker used to be as easy as calling a healthcare
facility and asking for the social work department, but with recent
changes in healthcare, your social worker could be part of patient
services, discharge planning, social services, or the case management
department to name a few. Accessing a social worker need not be
limited to times when you are a patient in the hospital. If a need or
concern arises after discharge, your social worker is a great resource
to call upon.
To find a social worker in your community
1. Call your local hospital's general number and ask if they have a social work department.
...OR...
2. Ask your doctor's office if they have a social worker as part of their healthcare team.
We offer Social Work services Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST. Please feel free to call us at 800-886-2282 and ask for our Social Work department if you have any questions or would like additional suggestions.
Oncology social workers have specialized training that allows us the
unique ability to understand, help and comfort those with brain tumors
and their families. For that we are grateful.
~Taken from an issue of TLC~