title: Screening for psychosocial distress: a national survey of oncology social workers.
abstract: Oncology social workers are the primary providers of psychosocial care for cancer patients, thus they are well positioned to implement and oversee psychosocial distress screening. A national survey of members of the Association of Oncology Social Work was conducted to examine screening knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and perceived competency. The findings indicated that most participants screened for psychosocial distress using a standardized instrument and identified institutional and individual barriers to implementing screening. Analyses revealed that social workers who perceived patient benefits from screening and were knowledgeable about guidelines were significantly more likely to implement screening procedures and use a standardized instrument.
authors.affiliation: a National Catholic School of Social Service , Catholic University of America , Washington, DC , USA.
authors.forename: Karlynn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: BrintzenhofeSzoc
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: Hee Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nedjat-Haiem
authors.forename: Julianne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oktay
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zabora
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Zebrack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012947:Social Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cancer; distress screening; oncology social workers; psychosocial