Provider perceptions of the social work role in oncologic pain management.

Authors

null

Claire Ralli

New York Oncology Hematology, Clifton Park, NY

Claire Ralli, Michelle Bailiff, Crystal Fields-Burdick, Kali Gajewski, Tara Garza, Nora Larson, Lydia Mills

Organizations

New York Oncology Hematology, Clifton Park, NY, Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants, PA, Newark, DE, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, Lonetree, CO, Arizona Oncology, Flagstaff, AZ, Texas Oncology, Garland, TX, Compass Oncology, Vancouver, WA, McKesson, The Woodlands, TX

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Best practices of cancer care delivery have shifted from medical models to interdisciplinary approaches aimed at holistic care. The social work profession has advanced itself by gaining competence in psycho-oncology, advance care planning, biopsychosocial assessment and intervention, and pain management. While Masters prepared Social Workers (MSW) are widely recognized as experts in most of these areas, it appears that they are underutilized in pain management. This study will examine provider and nursing perceptions about social work expertise and whether those perceptions may limit utilization of social work in multidisciplinary management of cancer pain. Methods: While review of psycho-oncology literature supports the role of social work in pain management, this was not clearly indicated within the medical oncology domain. A survey was created to ascertain the perception of the MSW role in pain management as a supplement to pharmacologic and medically-based care when identifying and treating multidimensional pain. The survey was completed by Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, and Nurses in outpatient oncology practices in The US Oncology Network. Results: 139 medical professionals responded. As hypothesized, 88% reported they were comfortable with MSWs conducting Advance Care Planning, while 61% reported being comfortable with MSWs educating patients and families about pain management during palliative/end of life care. 95% believed unmet emotional, social, spiritual and existential needs can present as physiological pain, however only 55% indicated they would include Licensed Clinical Social Workers to provide therapeutic interventions as part of pain management. Conclusions: Under half of survey participants reported an understanding of the scope of social work practice, which aligns with the lack of awareness and under-utilization of social work as a vital contributor in oncologic pain management. MSWs have training in evidence-based interventions such as CBT, guided imagery, mindfulness and biofeedback techniques which may diminish the experience of pain. Further research is recommended to identify strategies to promote and integrate social work into multidisciplinary pain management.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2019 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B: Patient Experience; Safety; Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care

Track

Patient Experience,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Safety

Sub Track

Provider Impact on Quality From the Patient Perspective

Citation

J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl 27; abstr 214)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2019.37.27_suppl.214

Abstract #

214

Poster Bd #

D13

Abstract Disclosures

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