Transcript Three Perspectives of the Psychosocial Needs of Oncology

Three Perspectives of Psychosocial
Needs of Oncology Patients
Claudia Lasys, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
Clinical Therapist/Oncology Social Worker
Ashley Pollock, BSN, RN, OCN
Oncology Resource Coordinator
Krista Veihl
Breast Cancer Survivor
Overview
The needs of the oncology patient can often times be daunting for
the health care provider, not to mention for the patient who is
trying to navigate her way through diagnosis, treatment and post
treatment issues.
One of the initial needs of the patient is to be “heard.” Many times
as health care providers we try to fix what ails the patient when
in reality all the patient really wants is to tell her story, to be
understood and to identify what she views as her needs.
It is important to think of the entire person in providing care:
physical, emotional, spiritual and the concrete needs.
Active Listening
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Definition
According to the University of Colorado, Conflict Research Consortium,
“Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person
that improves mutual understanding”.
Often times the patient wants to be able to tell her story as a way to reveal
concerns, fears and needs.
Active listening is a structured form of listening and responding that
focuses the attention on the speaker. The listener must take care to
attend to the speaker fully, and then repeats, in the listener’s own
words, what she thinks the speaker has communicated.
It is important to understand that the listener does not have to agree with
the speaker, rather, she must simply state what she thinks she heard
the speaker say. This type of listening enables the speaker to find out
whether the listener really understood her message. If the listener
misunderstood, the speaker can clarify her message.
Benefits of Active Listening
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Forces people to listen attentively to others.
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Decreases or avoids misunderstandings, as individuals have
to confirm that they understand what the other person has
said.
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It allows for more open conversation between the individuals.
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If the speaker feels like the listener is attuned to her
concerns and wants to listen, she is likely to explain in detail
how she is feeling and be able to identify her needs.
See Basic Communication Techniques Handout.
Active Listening - Discussion
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Importance of active listening
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Impact of active listening
Communicating Impact of Cancer
Diagnosis and Treatment
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Active listening in communicating
impact
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Empathy
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Allow patient to guide
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Patient perspective
Assisting patients with response to
diagnosis, treatment & adjustment
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Quality of Life
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Financial Concerns
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Work related issues
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Family dynamics
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Intimacy/ Relationship
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Spiritual
Quality of Life
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Side Effects from treatment
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Impact of cancer
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Therapeutic management ideas
Financial Concerns
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Insurance related questions
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Continue to have an income
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Co-pay
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Bill payment
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Insurance difficulties following treatment
Work Related Issues
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Ability to continue working
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Flexibility of employer
Family Dynamics
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Who will be impacted by this diagnosis?
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Is patient the primary caregiver for
family?
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What family members will be directly
involved?
Intimacy/Relationship
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Impact of cancer on relationships
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Impact of treatment on intimacy
Spiritual
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What is spirituality to the patient?
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What thoughts or items bring comfort?
Identifying and Managing Distress
Many accrediting bodies for hospitals and cancer centers are
instituting new standards of care for patients, specifically in the
arena of psychosocial care.
The Commission on Cancer most recently issued that by 2012, in
order for Cancer Centers to maintain accreditation, a measure
for distress has to be in place and given to all new patients.
This measure is the Distress Thermometer. See NCCN Guidelines
Version 1.2011 of the Distress Management Handout.
Closing Points
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Try to meet the patient where they are; if this area is
uncomfortable for you ask for assistance.
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Remember active listening doesn’t mean agreeing
with patient; rather you support and validate her
point of view.
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Look for creative ways to assist the patient on the
“whole-person” approach; mind-body-soul.
Resources
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AOSW.org (Association of Oncology Social
Workers
Cancer.org (American Cancer Society)
Cancer.Net
LIVESTRONG.org/cancersupport
LIVESTRONG.org/cancertopics
LIVESTRONG.org/forprofesionals
Onconurse.com
RXAssist.org
Blessing Hospital Resources
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Joyce Hildebrand, RN, OCN
Community Outreach Educator
217.223.8400 x7718
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Claudia Lasys, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
Oncology Social Worker/Clinical Therapist
217.223.8400 x7717
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Ashley Pollock, BSN, RN, OCN
Oncology Resource Coordinator
217.223.8400 x7705
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Krista Veihl, Survivor
[email protected] or 217.617.8785 cell
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Lori Wilkey, RN, Manager
Breast Center
217.223.8400 x4280