Granek Leeat, Nakash Ora, Shapira Shahar, Ariad Samuel, Ben-David Merav A
School of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Canada.
Smith School for Social Work, Northampton, United States.
Soc Work Health Care. 2021;60(3):225-239. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2020.1867287. Epub 2020 Dec 21.
Social workers have a prominent role in responding to cancer patients' mental health needs. Given the risk of mental health distress in cancer patients, and given that social workers are responsible for responding to these needs, the purpose of this study was to explore how social workers describe their role in responding to mental health distress and suicidality in people with cancer. The Grounded Theory method of data collection and analysis was used. Eighteen social workers were recruited and interviewed. Social workers saw themselves and acted as an interprofessional hub for their patients. This approach was based on the values of holistic care, multiple treatment modalities, interpersonal consultation, and continuity of care. From this standpoint, social workers offered their patients (and at times, their families) comprehensive services providing emotional, behavioral and practical support within the hospital setting, but also outside of it in the patient's communities. Consideration should be paid to promote systemic changes to acknowledge and compensate oncology socials workers' invisible labor that includes both emotional carryover and continuous engagement in their role as liaison and intermediaries for their patients.
社会工作者在满足癌症患者的心理健康需求方面发挥着重要作用。鉴于癌症患者存在心理健康困扰的风险，且社会工作者负责满足这些需求，本研究的目的是探讨社会工作者如何描述他们在应对癌症患者心理健康困扰和自杀倾向方面的作用。采用了扎根理论的数据收集和分析方法。招募并采访了18名社会工作者。社会工作者将自己视为并充当患者的跨专业枢纽。这种方法基于整体护理、多种治疗方式、人际咨询和护理连续性的价值观。从这个角度来看，社会工作者为患者（有时也为其家人）提供全面服务，在医院环境中以及患者社区之外提供情感、行为和实际支持。应考虑推动系统性变革，以认可和补偿肿瘤社会工作者的无形劳动，这种劳动既包括情感延续，也包括他们作为患者联络人和中间人的持续投入。
