Handbook of Oncology Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People with Cancer - Hardcover

I have had the privilege of working with many social workers who have been of enormous help to patients and their families, and at the same time sustained me. Any book that advances their role and recognition is a plus. (Roger Woodruff, Hospicecare.com)

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)

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 CancerCO, 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)

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, FL)

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)

The development of this inaugural Handbook of Oncology Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People With Cancer provides, a repository of the scope of oncology social workers' clinical practice, education, research, policy and program leadership in the psychosocial care of people with cancer and their families. It focuses on the unique synergy of social work perspectives, values, knowledge, and skills with the psychosocial needs of cancer patients, their families, and the health care systems in which they are treated. It addresses both the science and art of psychosocial care and identifies the increasing specialization of oncology social work related to its unique knowledge base, skills, role, and the progressive complexity of psychosocial challenges for patients with cancer.

This Handbook equips the reader with all that we know today in oncology social work about: patient and family centered care, distress screening, genetics, survivorship, care coordination, sociocultural and economic diversity, legal and ethical matters, clinical work with adults living with cancer, cancer across the lifespan, their caregivers and families, pediatrics, loss and grief, professional career development, leadership and innovation. Our hope is that in reading this Handbook you will identify new areas where each of you can leave your mark as innovators and change agents in our evolving field of practice.