Brad Zebrack1, Michael Grignon2, Ting Guan3, Donna Long4, Nina Miller5, Krista Nelson6, Shirley Otis-Green7, Makeeta Rayton8, Tara Schapmire9, Lori Wiener10. 1. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 2. Health Benefits Company, Albany, NY, USA. 3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. 4. Munson Medical Center, Cowell Family Cancer Center, Traverse City, MI, USA. 5. American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, Chicago, IL, USA. 6. Program Manager for Quality and Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, USA. 7. Collaborative Caring, Toluca Lake, CA, USA. 8. Oncology Social Work Supervisor, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Atlanta, GA, USA. 9. University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA. 10. National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract
The extent to which oncology social workers (OSWs) are available and adapting to disruptions in service delivery throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this report is to outline the initial impact of COVID-19 on oncology social work practice during the first six months of the pandemic. Methods: As part of a nationwide investigation of workforce conditions for OSWs, three professional organizations surveyed their members to assess the effects of COVID-19 on changes to work hours, employment status, work setting, pay, and mode for patient contact (e.g., telephone or videoconference).Findings: Among 939 OSWs, 20% reported a reduction in work hours, and two-thirds indicated a temporary shift in work to home, with most patient contact occurring primarily via telephone or videoconference.Implications: Results speak to the essential nature of oncology social work and the need for evidence to inform OSW training and advocacy efforts for however long the pandemic continues.
The extent to which oncology social workers (OSWs) are available and adapting to disruptions in service delivery throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this report is to outline the initial impact of COVID-19 on oncology social work practice during the first six months of the pandemic. Methods: As part of a nationwide investigation of workforce conditions for OSWs, three professional organizations surveyed their members to assess the effects of COVID-19 on changes to work hours, employment status, work setting, pay, and mode for patient contact (e.g., telephone or videoconference).Findings: Among 939 OSWs, 20% reported a reduction in work hours, and two-thirds indicated a temporary shift in work to home, with most patient contact occurring primarily via telephone or videoconference.Implications: Results speak to the essential nature of oncology social work and the need for evidence to inform OSW training and advocacy efforts for however long the pandemic continues.
Entities:
Keywords:
Psychosocial; advocacy; health services; patient experience; technology
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