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Psychosocial Issues
Nurses receive both medical and interpersonal skills training. I have come to view most patients who have a cancer diagnosis as remarkable. They endure difficult treatment and sometimes worry more about others, like spouses, than they do about themselves. Sometimes a spouse is more stressed about the patient’s condition; sometimes a spouse is less accepting of the reality of how the patient is doing. I believe that nurses do a good job medically and interpersonally in spite of limited time and resources, but patients and their families are often in deep emotional distress. The counselors help patients and families directly. In addition, partnering with the counselors helps me help each patient more effectively. We really are a team.
ly obtain supervision from the academic unit whose students it trains. The process of arranging such a partnership is not difficult. It simply requires due diligence, excellent communication, mutual respect, and the shared
goal of providing training opportunities for psychosocial professionals and improving psychosocial cancer care for patients and their families and caregivers. The goals are worthwhile and achievable. ●
References 1. Institute of Medicine Committee on Psychosocial Services to Cancer Patients/Families in a Community Setting; Adler NE, Page AEK, eds. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2008. 2. Hendrick SS, Cobos E. A practical model for psychosocial care. J Oncol Pract. 2010;6:34-36.
Before the research is published…
Before the guideline is issued…
—Vassia Craddick, RNC, BSN Nurse Director of Clinical Services
lump instead of breast cancer, helped an adult woman come to terms with her father’s cancer diagnosis, emphasized the value of hospice services for an older widow recently referred to hospice, established rapport with a new patient and her husband by commenting on how the husband’s nonverbal behaviors answered the physician’s question even before the patient answered them (a humorous bonding moment for counselor and couple), and stood next to a favorite longtime patient when he was told that his cancer had recurred. Many counselors have referred to their work at SCTRC as a “gift,” and counselor satisfaction with their SCTRC experience is high. How to develop a team Our model of a counseling team is novel, practical, and could serve as a prototype for other cancer centers and community oncology practices.2 Oncology practices could partner with a local college or university, most of which would have undergraduate/graduate programs in psychology or social work. Students in such programs are commonly required to participate in practica or externships in a community agency or other setting. A cancer center is a perfect setting, given the right preparation for both students and practicum site. Often a practicum site will provide supervision for the practicum students. If that is not available, by providing really good training for students, a site would like-
www.TheOncologyNurse.com
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