Abstract

Purpose

Few studies have examined the practices of U.S. oncology social workers since the implementation of distress screening. This study presents data about oncology social work practice behaviors, including participation in distress screening and interdisciplinary team integration.

Design

Using a cross-sectional survey design, Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) members were invited to complete the anonymous web-based survey between June and September 2019.

Sample

AOSW members (N = 1116) were invited through email and listserv posts to participate in the survey with 533 (47.8%) responding.

Methods

A quantitative on-line survey was used to investigate demographics, distress screening roles and other practice behaviors. Descriptive analyses were conducted on the data.

Results

Respondents engaged in a range of practice behaviors consistent with the Standards and Scope of Practice published by AOSW, primarily engaging in patient-focused work. They reported viewing their role as integrated with the interdisciplinary team. Respondents were highly involved in distress screening processes, primarily receiving referrals from distress screening but also collecting/reviewing screening results and referring patients to other providers based on those results.

Implications for Psychosocial Providers

Knowledge about the ways that oncology social workers enact their role across settings and locations could be useful to those developing effective and integrated psychosocial oncology programs, especially distress screening protocols. Specific knowledge about the practice behaviors of oncology social workers in the U.S. may also help to delineate the role from the work of other interdisciplinary oncology team members.

中文翻译：

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肿瘤社会工作实践行为：AOSW 成员的全国调查

摘要

目的

自实施痛苦筛查以来，很少有研究考察美国肿瘤社会工作者的实践。本研究提供了有关肿瘤学社会工作实践行为的数据，包括参与痛苦筛查和跨学科团队整合。

设计

使用横断面调查设计，邀请肿瘤社会工作协会 (AOSW) 成员在 2019 年 6 月至 2019 年 9 月期间完成基于网络的匿名调查。

样本

AOSW 成员 ( N  = 1116) 被邀请通过电子邮件和群发帖子参与调查，有 533 人 (47.8%) 做出了回应。

方法

使用定量在线调查来调查人口统计、痛苦筛选角色和其他实践行为。对数据进行了描述性分析。

结果

受访者从事一系列符合 AOSW 发布的标准和实践范围的实践行为，主要从事以患者为中心的工作。他们报告说，他们认为自己的角色与跨学科团队融为一体。受访者高度参与了痛苦筛查过程，主要是接受痛苦筛查的转诊，但也收集/审查筛查结果，并根据这些结果将患者转介给其他提供者。

对社会心理提供者的影响

了解肿瘤学社会工作者在不同环境和地点发挥作用的方式，可能对那些制定有效和综合的社会心理肿瘤学项目，尤其是痛苦筛查方案的人有用。有关美国肿瘤学社会工作者实践行为的具体知识也可能有助于从其他跨学科肿瘤学团队成员的工作中界定角色。