title: The characteristics of oncology social work in Australia: Implications for workforce planning in integrated cancer care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the demographics, professional characteristics, self-reported professional development needs and research involvement of oncology social workers in Australia and to describe perceived barriers to provision of quality psychosocial care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional online survey was administered to social workers working in the oncology field who were contacted through three professional organizations; the Australian Association of Social Workers, Oncology Social Work Australia and the Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group, the University of Sydney. A snowball recruitment method was adopted to maximize the sample size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two thirds of respondents had over 10 years professional practice experience but with lesser experience in oncology settings. Twenty-eight percent had post-graduate qualifications. Professional development needs were reported as moderate or high by 68% of respondents. No association between professional needs and work setting was found. Years of experience in oncology practice and living in an urban area increased the likelihood of involvement in research. Barriers to psychosocial care included poor understandings of the social work role, time constraints and an inadequate number of social work positions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this first Australian study of the social work oncology workforce, the results demonstrated active, well-qualified and experienced social workers providing frontline services to people with cancer and their caregivers in geographically diverse locations across Australia. Inadequate resources and a lack of integrated psychosocial care were identified as barriers to comprehensive cancer care. The need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers was identified as an urgent workforce priority.
authors.affiliation: Social Work & Policy Studies, Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Sydney, Westmead Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Rosalie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pockett
authors.affiliation: Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, The Lifehouse, The University of Sydney, Westmead Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peate
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecological Cancer & Department of Social Work Westmead Hospital, Westmead Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.affiliation: Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, The Lifehouse, The University of Sydney, Westmead Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dzidowska
authors.affiliation: Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, The Lifehouse, The University of Sydney, Westmead Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: L Bell
authors.affiliation: Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, The Lifehouse, The University of Sydney, Westmead Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Brandi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baylock
authors.affiliation: Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Irwin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002322:Career Mobility; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000072858:Psychosocial Support Systems; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012106:Research; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
keywords: delivery of health care; integrated; social work