Social Work Intervention Research With Adult Cancer Patients: A Literature Review and Reflection on Knowledge-Building for Practice

Abstract

The results of a literature review of social work intervention research with adult cancer patients found only a small number of studies conducted by social work researchers. The findings of the review are presented followed by a reflective discussion on the nature of knowledge-building and research knowledge for practice. Knowledge building is considered as a continuous, negotiated process within communities of practice focused on psychosocial perspectives that draw on a range of knowledge sources. Epistemology, worldviews and research orientations are considered along with the values and stance of social work, all of which create the domain of the practice-researcher.

KEYWORDS:

• psychosocial interventions
• social work
• practice-based research
• critical reflection

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

An earlier version of this article was presented at the Third International Conference on Practice Research, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, June 2014. The authors acknowledge and thank PoCoG (Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group) at the University of Sydney, Professor Julie Cwikel, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, and Professor Irwin Epstein, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, New York for their support in the preparation of this article. Current address of Monika Dzidowska: Research Program Manager, Faculty of Pharmacy, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. The University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia. E-mail: [email protected]