Social work in pediatric oncology: a family needs assessment.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the family is confronted with meeting both the physical and psychosocial needs of the child and maintaining normal family functioning. This study assessed the perceived psychosocial needs of 77 families who have a child diagnosed with cancer. Preliminary results suggest practical application for social work interventions in specific areas such as the development of an informal support network, enhancement of communication within families concerning the disease, the need for adequate information at various stages of the disease, and continued supportive services for the family.