Oncology and Palliative Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People Coping with Cancer

Oncology and Palliative Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People Coping with Cancer illustrates the need for integrating early palliative care for patients with cancer and the important role social workers have in providing psychosocial support services across the cancer trajectory. There is a convergence of oncology and palliative social work specialties in the delivery of comprehensive, culturally-congruent, whole person cancer care. OPSW reflects the collective knowledge, skills, clinical experience and perspectives of a diverse group of interprofessional contributors, including best practices, emerging trends, and priorities in psychosocial oncology, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this evolving landscape.

The volume is divided into four sections, each with five to eight thematically connected chapters. Topics include: diagnosing and treating cancer; equity, racism, cultural competence, and cultural humility; social determinants of health; cancer care amid pandemics, disasters and other traumatic events; survivorship, integrative programs, lifestyle and rehabilitation; innovative models in palliative care in oncology; the future direction of psychosocial oncology and palliative care, including research; psychosocial aspects of cancer; pain, symptom, and side effect management; a novel collaborative care model for people living with serious mental illness; interprofessional spiritual care; informal cancer caregivers; palliative and hospice care at the end of life; loss, grief, and bereavement; underrepresented, underserved, and vulnerable populations; ethical and legal issues; professional development and sustainability; credentialing, certification, and continuing education; technology; social work leadership skills; interprofessional practice; international oncology and palliative social work; and, strategies for guiding best practices for the future.


About the Author
Susan Hedlund, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW is the Director of Patient & Family Services for the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU).

Bryan Miller, LCSW, OSW-C is the Director of Psychosocial Support Services at Atlanta Cancer Care, which is affiliated with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, and Assistant Director of the Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Grace Christ, PHD, DSW is Professor Emerita and Research Scientist at the Columbia University School of Social Work. Dr. Christ was formerly the director of social work at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and is a founding and past-president of the Association of Oncology Social Work as well as a co-founder of the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN).

Carolyn Messner, DSW, BCD, FAPOS, FAOSW, LCSW-R is the Senior Director of Education and Training, CancerCare.