Table of Contents

Section 1: Overview of Oncology Social Work
Carolyn Messner

1. Cancer in Contemporary Society: Grounding in Oncology and Psychosocial Care
Stewart B. Fleishman and Carolyn Messner

2. Oncology Social Work: Past, Present, and Future
Susan Hedlund

3. Integrating Research and Evidence-Based Practice with Clinical Knowledge
Julianne S. Oktay

4. Oncology and Health Care Disparities
Anjanette Wells, Darrell Hudson, Lorena Estrada-Martinez, and Sarah Gehlert

5. Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs: An Institute of Medicine Report Comes to Life
Kim Day

Section 2: Cancer across a Continuum of Care: Clinical Practice, Opportunities, and Challenges
Brad Zebrack

6. Oncology Social Work Interventions throughout the Continuum of Cancer Care
Brad Zebrack, Barbara L. Jones, and Kathryn M. Smolinski

7. Diagnosis and Initiation of Cancer Treatment
Karen Kell Hartman

8. Sense Making in Living with Cancer as a Chronic Illness
Paul G. Clark and Sage Bolte

9. Cancer Survivorship: Concepts, Interventions, and Research
Penny Damaskos and Carly Parry

10. Transition to End-of-Life Care in Oncology
Deborah Waldrop and Sherri Weisenfluh

Section 3: Psychosocial Challenges of Site-Specific Cancers
Carolyn Messner

11. The Biopsychosocial Implications of the Site of the Cancer
Carolyn Messner, Caroline Kornhauser, and Rosalie Canosa

12. Living with a Rare Cancer Diagnosis: A Survivor's Perspective
Patrick Garbe

13. Working with Men Challenged by Prostate Cancer
Les Gallo-Silver

14.The Many Dimensions of Breast Cancer: Determining the Scope of Needed Services
Roz Kleban and Susan Glaser

15.Hematologic Cancers: Patients' Needs for Specialized Care
Kate Pederson, Brian Tomlinson, and Lisa O'Brien

16. When the Other Shoe Drops: Unique Fears and Challenges of Recurrent Disease
Elizabeth Ezra and Maria Chi

Section 4. Implementing Distress Screening Initiatives in Oncology
Grace Christ

17. Distress Screening Guidelines for Oncology Social Workers
James R. Zabora

18. Development of a National Canadian Program for Oncology Stress as the 6th Vital Sign
Barry D. Bultz, Matthew Loscalzo, and Shannon Groff

19. Touch-Screen Technology: Using a Problem Checklist for Psychosocial Oncology Screening
Karen Clark, Matthew Loscalzo, and Barry D. Bultz

20. Distress Screening and Responding in an Ambulatory Cancer Center
Jill Taylor-Brown and Heather Campbell-Enns

21. Screening and Assessment of Suicide Risk in Oncology
Mark E. Anderson, Margrett R. Myhre, Donna Suckow, and Angela McCabe

22. Using Telehealth to Respond to Distress in Rural and Remote Chemotherapy Clinics
Carole Mayer and Sheila Damore-Petingola

23. Next Steps for Psychosocial Screening in Oncology
Lynne E. Padgett, Carly Parry, and Stephen Taplin

Section 5: Social Work Research: Challenges and Opportunities
Karen Kayser

24. An Agenda for Oncology Social Work Research: From Bench to Bedside to Trench
Karen Kayser

25. Practice Relevant Research in Oncology: Science Is What You Do When You Don't Know What to Do
Taryn Lindhorst

26. Finding Funding for Oncology Social Work Research
Mary Ann Burg

27. Writing Proposals for Foundations and Governmental Agencies
Guadalupe R. Palos

28. Opportunities for Social Work Research in Oncology
Carly Parry and G. Stephane Philogene

Section 6. Complex Issues Affecting Quality of Life and Quality of Care
Shirley Otis-Green

29. The Convergence of Oncology and Palliative Social Work
Terry Altilio and Bridget Sumser

30. Treatment Adherence
Brian Giddens

31. The Impact of Comorbidities on Cancer Care
Barbara Head

32. Social Work Practice with Families Affected by Hereditary Cancer
Allison Werner-Lin

33. Pain and Symptom Management
Terry Altilio and Laurel Eskra Tropeano

34. Sexuality and Cancer
Sage Bolte and Christopher Anrig

35. The Oncology Social Worker and Genomics
Allison Werner-Lin

Section 7. Sociocultural and Economic Diversity: Improving Access and Health Outcomes
Yvette Colón

36. Working with Sociocultural and Economic Diversity
Yvette Colón

37. Support for Immigrants, Political Refugees, and Patients Seeking Asylum Who Have Cancer
Amanda Amodio and Upal Basu Roy

38. Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer
Kathryn M. Smolinski and William Goeren

39. Transgender Individuals and Families Affected by Cancer
Max Rorty

40. Alaska Native, Native American, and First Nation People: Outreach, Screening, and Assessment
Karina L. Walters, Teresa Evans-Campbell, Matthew A. Town, Katie Schultz, Jessica H. L. Elm, and Ramona E. Beltrán

41. Access to Medical Treatment for African Americans Diagnosed with Cancer: The Current Evidence Base
Karen Bullock and Hannah Allison

42. Hispanic/Latino Individuals and Families Affected by Cancer: Outreach, Screening, and Assessment
Guadalupe R. Palos

43. Working with Chinese Families Impacted by Cancer: An Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Approach
Pamela Pui-Yu Leung and Cecilia L. W. Chan

Section 8: Assessment and Interventions with Adults Living with Cancer
Hester Hill Schnipper

44. Interventions and Ongoing Assessment With People Living With Cancer
Hester Hill Schnipper and Ashley Varner

45. Time Enough to Make a Difference: Helping Our Patients Live Well With Advanced Cancer
Hester Hill Schnipper

46. Integrating Spirituality in Oncology Care
Shirley Otis-Green and Reverend Terry L. Irish

47. Clinical Group Work: Embracing Opportunities, Navigating Challenges
Erin Columbus and Kate Wakelin

48. Assessing and Intervening with the Spectrum of Depression and Anxiety in Cancer
Carole F. Seddon and Hester Hill Schnipper

49. Using Cognitive and Behavioral Approaches Throughout the Cancer Experience
John G. Cagle and Matthew Loscalzo

50. Meaning-Making Approaches to Social Work Practice in Oncology
Carrie Lethborg and Lou Harms

51. Schema Therapy With Oncology Patients and Families
Lissa Parsonnet

52. Practice Issues in Social Work and Psychosocial Oncology in Israel
Shlomit Perry

53. Oncology Social Work Practice in Integrative Medicine
Cecilia L. W. Chan and Richard R. Dickens

Section 9: Interventions with Families and Caregivers in Oncology
Susan Hedlund

54. Introduction to Working with Families in Oncology
Susan Hedlund

55. Caregivers of Cancer Patients
Ashley Varner

56. Psychosocial Interventions With Couples Affected by Cancer
Karen Kayser and Jennifer L. Scott

57. Managing Family Conflict: Providing Responsive Family Care at the End of Life
Betty J. Kramer and Amy Z. Boelk

58. Family and Team Conferencing in Oncology
Iris Cohen Fineberg

Section 10: Interventions with Parental Cancer, Dependent Children, and Adolescents
Lynn Behar

59. Parental Cancer: Developmentally Informed Practice Guidelines for Family Consultation and Communication
Grace Christ

60. Single Parents Coping With Cancer and Children
Lynn Behar and Frances Marcus Lewis

61. A Parallel Group Program for Parents and Children: Using Expressive Techniques and Activities to Facilitate Communication
Krista Nelson

Section 11: Pediatrics: Assessment and Interventions With Children and Adolescent Cancer Patients-The Unique Challenges of Pediatric Oncology
Barbara L. Jones

62. Interventions for Children under Age 15 Living With Cancer
Lori Wiener and Ursula M. Sansom-Daly

63. Interventions for Adolescents Living With Cancer
Rebecca G. Block

64. The Family Experience in Pediatric Oncology
Nancy F. Cincotta

65. Helping Siblings of Pediatric Cancer Patients
Nancy F. Cincotta

66. Reaching Out to Culturally Diverse Populations in Pediatric Oncology
Nancy Contro and Analisa Trott

67. Pediatric Cancer Survivors
Kate Shafer and Constance Connor

68. Pediatric Palliative Care
Stacy S. Remke

Section 12: Impact of a Cancer Diagnosis Across the Adult Life Span
Tara Schapmire

69. Young Adults (20 to 39) With Cancer
Sage Bolte

70. Parents of Younger Adults With Cancer
Susan Hedlund

71. Cancer and Middle-Aged Adults (40 to 64)
Cindy Davis and Connie Rust

72. Cancer and Older Adults (65 Plus)
Tara Schapmire and Anna Faul

73. Working With Families of Older Adults with Cancer
Daniel S. Gardner

Section 13: Loss, Grief, and Bereavement
Mary Sormanti

74. Understanding Bereavement: How Theory, Research, and Practice Inform What We Do
Mary Sormanti

75. Spousal/Intimate Partner Loss and Bereavement
Deborah Carr

76. Mourning the Death of a Child
Nancy F. Cincotta

77. Developing Culturally Informed Research on Bereavement Interventions
Amy Yin Man Chow

78. Leading Bereavement Groups
Richard T. Hara and Rachel Odo

Section 14: Patient- And Family-Centered Care: Social Work Role and Organizational Models for Psychosocial Services
Nancy W. Newman

79. Patient- and Family-Centered Care: A National Mandate and Social Work Goal
Nancy W. Newman and Cynthia Medeiros

80. Integrated Interdisciplinary Staff Leadership Model of Patient-Centered Care
Matthew Loscalzo, Karen Clark, and Barry D. Bultz

81. Directing Stand-Alone Social Work Department Models
Margaret Weld Meyer and Wendy J. Evans

82. Creating Innovative Cancer Support Programs in Community Cancer Centers
Alison Mayer Sachs and Kerry Irish

83. Managing Volunteer Services in Oncology
Catherine Credeur and Christine Healy

Section 15: U.S. Health Care Advocacy: Legal and Ethical Issues in Oncology
Gary L. Stein

84. Historic and Current Perspectives on Health Care Reform
Gunnar Almgren

85. Bioethical Issues in Oncology and the Social Work Response
Gary L. Stein and Jeanne Kerwin

86. Improving Pain Care Policy: Implications for Social Work Advocacy
Mary Beth Morrissey

Section 16: Care Coordination, Managing Transitions, Providing Resources
Carol P. Marcusen

87. Transitions during Cancer Care
Carol P. Marcusen

88. Patient Navigation in Oncology
Melissa Sileo Stewart and Rian Rodriguez

89. Bridging Increasing Financial Gaps and Challenges in Service Delivery
Jane Levy and Michele McCourt

90. The Importance of Patient Education
Julie Keany Hodorowski, Carolyn Messner, and Caroline Kornhauser

91. Legal Issues that Affect Quality of Life for Oncology Patients and Their Caregivers
Kathryn M. Smolinski and Debra Wolf

Section 17. Practice Settings: Where Oncology Social Workers Work
Victoria Kennedy

92. Oncology Social Work across Sites of Care
Victoria Kennedy

93. Oncology Social Work Practice in Hospitals and Cancer Centers
Louise Knight

94. Veterans and Cancer
Louisa Daratsos

95. The Evolving Role for Oncology Social Workers in Business
Jennifer Mills

Section 18: Professional Development and Education
Katherine Walsh

96. Supervision and Professional Development
Annamma Abraham Kaba and Penny Damaskos

97. Life as an Oncology Social Worker: Career Planning and Professional Development
Katherine Walsh

98. Grant-Funded Educational Programs in Psychosocial Oncology
Shirley Otis-Green and Sheila L. Hammer

99. Vicarious Resilience: Sustaining a Career over the Long Haul
Debra Mattison

100. The American Cancer Society's Contributions to Oncology Social Work
Virginia Krawiec and Greta Greer

101. APOSW and AOSW: Education and Development of Professional Networks
Ann Fairchild, Christa G. Burke, Paula G. McCarthy, Stacy Stickney Ferguson, and Katherine Walsh

102. OSW-C: The Importance of Certification for Oncology Social Workers
Virginia Vaitones, Johanna Schutte, and Debra Mattison

103. NASW and Oncology Social Work
Elizabeth J. Clark and Stacy Collins

Section 19: Building Resilience in Interprofessional Practice
Penny Damaskos

104. Building Resilience: A Multifaceted Support Program for Professional and Support Staff in a Cancer Center
Jane Bowling and Penny Damaskos

105. How Oncology Professionals Manage the Emotional Intensity of Their Work
Elizabeth A. Rohan

106. Developing Core Competencies for Interprofessional Teams: A Script-Reading Approach
Patricia McGillicuddy, Karen Gold, and Mandy Lowe

107. Schwartz Center Rounds®: Process, Outcomes, and Opportunities for Improving Interprofessional Practice
Margaret S. Wool

108. Maintaining Competent Teams in Pediatric Oncology
Sima Zadeh, Jayne Phillips, Jeasmine E. Aizvera, and Lori Wiener

Epilogue: Oncology Social Work Leadership: Innovators in a Changing World
Grace Christ, Carolyn Messner, and Lynn Behar

Index

About the Author

Grace Christ, DSW/PhD, Professor Emerita, Columbia University School of Social Work.

Carolyn Messner, DSW, OSW-C, LCSW-R, Director of Education and Training, CancerCare.

Lynn Behar, PhD, LICSW, OSW-C, Founder, Carol LaMare Initiative, University of Washington School of Social Work.

Reviews

"For decades, the Institute of Medicine has released one report after another lamenting the gap between the recognition that cancer affects the whole person, and our ability to address the human needs of the growing population of cancer survivors and their loved ones. With the inaugural publication of the Handbook of Oncology Social Work, help is at hand. This long-awaited volume, written by pioneers in the field of oncology social work, provides a
wealth of evidence-based information on how to deliver cancer care for the whole person in a rapidly evolving health care delivery system Kudos to the editors of and many contributors to this outstanding volume, a
must read for anyone practicing in oncology.
--Julia H. Rowland, PhD, Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Cancer Institute, NIH/DHHS
"We welcome with great anticipation this comprehensive new Handbook of Oncology Social Work. The Handbookr addresses those issues frequently associated with the social needs of patients including psychological and bereavement issues. Uniquely, it also includes in-depth chapters on current topics such as identifying distress earlier, approaches to diversity issues so frequent in our patient populations, and concepts brought about by longer
survivorship. Never before has excellence in care for patients with cancer required as strong a multidisciplinary team as now: this new resource will contribute not only to social workers, but also to all involved with
patients and families in the cancer setting. The breadth of experience of the editors and authors is clear throughout the book and enhances its value for all health care professionals in oncology."
--Richard J. Gralla, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center
"While there have been significant medical advances and increasing numbers of cancer survivors, the human adaptive challenges to this disease have in fact become more complex and long term. Social workers are at the forefront of developing, implementing, and evaluating a broad range of psychosocial services for this population. The Handbook of Oncology Social Work offers educators as well as new and seasoned professionals a wealth of evidence based
information, practice wisdom, and the lived experiences of patients and families to undergird their teaching and provision of care. It is an indispensable text and resource for all educators and practitioners in
health care."
--Jeanette C. Takamura, MSW, PhD, Dean and Professor, Columbia University School of Social Work
The Handbook of Oncology Social Work is an exceptional, state-of-the-art book that clearly addresses the key issues confronting oncology social workers today. The book emphasizes social work's strong values for sharing decision-making, helping the most vulnerable and distressed, and reducing health disparity. It is an essential resource for social workers and other professionals who want to provide high quality, evidenced-based care to people with
cancer and their family members."
--Laurel Northouse PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor Emerita, University of Michigan
"The inaugural Handbook of Oncology Social Work is truly a social work masterpiece. The editors have gathered the experts in the field to compile the most recent evidence-based data in terms of screening, assessment, and interventions that can provide the greatest benefit to cancer patients and their families."
--James Zabora, ScD, MSW, Director, Research & Professional Development, Life with Cancer©, Inova Health System; Assistant Professor of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; President-Elect, APOS
The Handbook of Oncology Social Work is a comprehensive manual addressing the multiple roles and evolving practice of this specialty. By providing psychosocial support beginning at diagnosis and palliative care through the end of life, navigating financial issues and ongoing changes in the health care system, and helping simplify the complexity of the new era of genomic profiling and targeted therapies, the oncology social worker plays a critical role
in enabling patients to optimize quality of life while dealing with the emotional, social, physical and financial burdens of cancer. This handbook is an invaluable resource for the entire cancer community."
--Julie R. Gralow, MD, Professor and Director, Breast Medical Oncology, Jill Bennett Endowed Professorship in Breast Cancer, University of Washington School of Medicine; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
"It is extremely rare for there to be a textbook that is simultaneously so comprehensive, well researched and clinically practical. [This handbook] is clearly the new gold standard for oncology social work. But to say that this textbook is limited to social workers or cancer alone grossly misses the point. The clinical, educational and research implications of this monumental accomplishment are relevant for other health care professionals and chronic illnesses.
The editors and authors represent the encyclopedic wisdom and diversity of thinking of many of the foundational leaders in the field and across disciplines. Significantly, there are also provocative
contributions by many evolving leaders in psychosocial oncology which deeply enriches this 'must own' treasure trove of compassionate expertise.
--Matthew J. Loscalzo, LCSW, Liliane Elkins Professor in Supportive Care Programs; Administrative Director, Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center
"Persons with cancers are confronted with a deluge of information and decisions about their illnesses and the impact on their lives. Oncology social workers play a crucial role in helping patients and caregivers navigate this sea of choices. The Handbook of Oncology Social Work encompasses the breadth and depth of expertise and compassion that oncology social workers bring to individuals and families living with cancers."
--Mark G. Kris, MD, Attending Physician, Thoracic Oncology Service; The William and Joy Ruane Chair in Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
"The Handbook of Oncology Social Work comes at a perfect time. Since beginning my career 23 years ago, I have seen the challenges of serving oncology patients and their families become exceedingly complex, with rising incidents of cancer, many more individuals living with cancer, and increasing numbers of survivors, many of whom, however, experience a reduced quality of life linked to treatment side effects. The breadth and depth of the learnings
covered in the Handbook is a brilliant blending of the history, knowledge, wisdom, and experiences of the nation's oncology social workers integrated with the stories and voices of patients and families. The
Handbook is the manual that every oncology health care team should read."
--Moreen Shannon-Dudley, MBA, MSW, LICSW, Director, Supportive Care, Radiation Therapy and Specialty Clinics, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
"The scope of practice covered in this handbook is essential for any oncology social worker, whether they are new to the field or an experienced practitioner. The handbook will be required reading for all social work interns and fellows. The sheer number of topics and authors reflects the great advances we have made in providing psychosocial care for people living with cancer and their families over the last three decades. It is written in language that is
easily transferrable to practice, which will be helpful to social work practitioners and others across the continuum of care in oncology. The authorship of this book is astounding! Congratulations to the
many contributors and editors of this wonderful handbook. "
--Christina Austin-Valere, PhD, LCSW, Clinical Oncology Social Worker, Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center, Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, F
"Oncology social workers have played a central role in developing the science and art of psychosocial care for people affected by cancer. The size and scope of this inaugural edition of the Handbook of Oncology Social Work is a testament to the numerous important contributions oncology social work has made to the field of psychosocial oncology in the areas of clinical care, education, research, program development, and health policy. Although the focus is on
oncology social work, I am certain that professionals in all other fields of oncology that involve patient and family care will find it to be an invaluable resource."
--Paul Jacobsen, PhD, Associate Center Director, Division of Population Science, Moffitt Cancer Center
"This inaugural Handbook of Oncology Social Work codifies in exemplary fashion the wisdom, clinical practice, and art of the oncology social work profession. This outstanding publication highlights the variety of challenges experienced by people living with and undergoing treatment of cancer, cancer survivors, their caregivers, and the bereaved. It provides an overview of multiple topics and excellent clinical practice guidelines for all oncology
disciplines. I congratulate the editors and authors for their vision in creating this exceptional book which is an invaluable resource in psychosocial oncology and for all health care professionals."
--Edith P. Mitchell, MD, FACP, Clinical Professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology, Program Leader, Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Director, Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, Associate Director, Diversity Affairs, Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson
"In this rapidly changing health care environment, the comprehensive Handbook of Oncology Social Work is a valuable resource for social workers and members of the health care team who are working to meet the complex needs of people with cancer and their loved ones. Recognition of psychosocial needs and their impact on outcome has led to mandates requiring assessment of social, emotional, and financial concerns and protocols for addressing these needs.
Social workers are on the front lines in implementing these new quality measures and in developing programs to assist a growing population. The Handbook defines and describes the range of interventions used by
social workers to meet 21st-century needs and will become the cornerstone of oncology social work practice."
--Diane Blum, LMSW, Former Executive Director, CancerCare; Former Editor-in-Chief, Cancer.Net; American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
"This comprehensive handbook written for oncology social workers is an important resource for anyone who works with people with cancer. It is practical, informative and organized in a manner that makes it easy to use. The nonmedical needs of a person with cancer are vast and always changing, this handbook strives to address them all. As an attorney in this field, this handbook will further my understanding of the psychosocial and practical needs of my clients."
--Randye Retkin, Esq, Director LegalHealth, New York Legal Assistance Group
"The Handbook of Oncology Social Work is truly historic. It is the first book that provides both a comprehensive and deep sense of the myriad roles and values of social work in addressing the complex issues associated with the number two cause of death in the United States. Whether seasoned or new to the field, social workers will find this volume a constant companion to increase their knowledge, skill, and influence on the health care system. Its
framework is essential social work-addressing the biopsychosocial and environmental factors affecting cancer patients, their families, and the settings in which they receive services and benefits. Beyond social
workers, its interdisciplinary focus should speak to physicians, nurses, and other health care providers, as well as family and professional advocates across the continuum of care."
--Terry Mizrahi, MSW, DSW, Professor, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College; Co-Chair, Community Organizing, Planning & Development