Distress Screening: An Opportunity for Enhancing Quality Cancer Care and Promoting the Oncology Social Work Profession

Abstract

Throughout its history, social work has played a critical role in major client/patient care initiatives because of its unique perspective, wisdom, and skills. The new screening standards set forth by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer place oncology social workers at the forefront of developing and implementing procedures for distress screening. Our profession is again challenged to work across disciplines and change systems of care to improve the health and welfare of patients with cancer and their families. Indeed, emerging research suggests that the use of psychosocial screening instruments results in reductions in emotional distress, better quality of life, and improved patient–provider communication. As an introduction to this special issue on distress screening, this article offers a brief overview of issues related to distress screening that are covered by papers authored in this special issue by Association of Oncology Social Work members. Topics addressed include a review of the historical context driving distress screening implementation, barriers and challenges to oncology social workers trying to implement distress screening, statistical and cultural considerations for selecting screening tools, best practice models, and future considerations. This special issue is intended to be a primer and serves to promote oncology social workers’ involvement and leadership in the development and implementation of distress screening.

KEYWORDS:

• distress screening
• professional development
• advocacy

Acknowledgments

The Association of Oncology Social Work wishes to thank Virginia Vaitones, MSW, OSW-C, for her contributions to this article and also for her leadership and efforts in representing Oncology Social Work at the tables of the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, and the Association of Community Cancer Centers, where she has made the voice of oncology social workers heard.

Notes

1. To estimate the number of full-time oncology social workers needed to manage the estimated 30% of patients anticipated to be highly distressed at your institution while maintaining current workload: take the number of newly diagnosed patients at your institution and multiply by 0.30. Then divide that number by 100 or 120.