Mrs Anastasia Anastasiou1, Ms Lisa Cohen
1Seslhd NSW Health, Kogarah, Australia
Biography:
Anastasia and Lisa have over 20 years of health hospital experience combined. Both job sharing the team leader role at St George Hospital, Anastasia and Lisa have specialized skills and knowledge in leadership and developing high performing teams, as well as clinical expertise in trauma informed care, grief and loss, biopsychosocial assessment, advocacy and counselling.
Abstract:
This lightening oral presentation will aim to share patient stories and observations of social work interventions to enhance the cancer patient's experience. Social workers provide essential support that fosters a sense of belonging, understanding and emotional safety for patients, navigating the complexities of cancer treatment. By offering individualized counselling, social workers facilitate communication between patients, families and medical teams, and by conducting comprehensive assessments, social workers help patients articulate their emotional needs, address concerns and access vital resources. This approach creates a holistic support system that addresses not only the medical but also the emotional, social and spiritual aspects of cancer care. The enhanced connection through social work practice leads to increased patient empowerment, improving coping strategies, and a stronger sense of hope and resilience. Ultimately, this model underscores the transformative impact of meaningful human connections in cancer care, promoting better overall wellbeing for the patients we serve. Our presentation will demonstrate these elements through patient stories.