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The characteristics of oncology social work in Australia: Implications for workforce planning in integrated cancer care
Author(s) -
Pockett Rosalie,
Peate Michelle,
Hobbs Kim,
Dzidowska Monika,
L Bell Melanie,
Baylock Brandi,
Epstein Irwin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
asia‐pacific journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1743-7563
pISSN - 1743-7555
DOI - 10.1111/ajco.12482
Subject(s) - psychosocial , workforce , social work , snowball sampling , oncology , medicine , nursing , professional development , professional association , family medicine , medical education , public relations , political science , psychiatry , pathology , law
Aims 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. Conclusion 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.