A nationwide study of Swedish oncology social workers: Characteristics, clinical functions, and perceived barriers to optimal functioning

ABSTRACT

Oncology social workers (OSWs) play a key role in cancer services, but they have mainly been described from an Anglo-Saxon perspective. This study aims to widen the field by scrutinizing the role and function of OSWs in Sweden. By means of a nationwide questionnaire to Swedish OSWs, the professional characteristics of this group are described, as well as their descriptions and reflections on their clinical function and their experiences of barriers to optimal functioning. Our findings indicate that Swedish OSWs seem to have taken a different path than in other countries by mainly providing therapeutic treatment and counseling to the patients rather than working with discharge planning. However, due to a mismatch between clinical demands and the training of Swedish OSWs, some suggestions are provided for future social work education in Sweden.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer
• clinical function
• counseling
• education
• oncology social work
• training

Funding

This study was supported by grants from The Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research and Charity.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from The Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research and Charity.