Reflections of Moral Suffering, Resilience, and Wisdom of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the lives of pediatric oncology social workers. Challenges include difficulty building rapport with the use of telephone/computers, lack of clarity around who is designated as "essential", structural challenges, isolation, and witnessing distress. This study aimed to describe the ways that the pandemic has personally impacted pediatric oncology social workers. METHODS: Participants were recruited through the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW) listserv. In total, 101 participants from 31 states and the District of Columbia completed an online survey containing quantitative and open-ended questions. Qualitative data analysis included thematic analysis of participants' optional survey responses to three open-ended questions. RESULTS: Fifty-seven of the participants provided responses that revealed 3 first level codes and 11 second level codes. First level codes were developed a priori from the questions: Experiences that stay with you, Wisdom gained and Impact on your work. Pandemic-related challenges caused moral suffering and professional challenges for participants but also created opportunities to find meaning in their work. CONCLUSION: Data illuminated moral suffering, unrecognized resilience, new ways of maintaining self-and family care, and creative approaches to care of children with cancer and their families at diagnosis, during treatments and at the end of life.

The impact of COVID-19 on the professional and personal lives of pediatric oncology social workers.

PURPOSE: Describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work structure, daily care provided, personal lives, and practice models for pediatric oncology social workers (POSW). RESEARCH APPROACH: Cross-sectional online survey on APOSW professional listserv from 10/5/2020 to 11/20/2020. SAMPLE: 101 surveys were completed by POSW from 31 states and the District of Columbia. METHODS: Data were summarized descriptively and with semantic content analyses. FINDINGS: Surveys were completed by social workers from diverse work settings. Seventy-five percent of social workers were deemed "essential," and 45% reported working primarily from home. Most (56%) adopted a form of telehealth for patient care, although 71% did not receive telehealth training and 87% perceived lesser quality of care with telehealth. Nearly 80% of respondents reported not being able to provide optimum psychosocial care. Notable stressors on social work practice included worry about exposure to COVID-19, limited resources, lack of contact with and increased emotional needs of patients and families, managing patient and family concerns about COVID-19, and isolation from colleagues. Inequity and social justice issues were identified. Despite challenges, over 60% of POSW endorsed positive changes to their work life resulting from the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, POSW have adapted to a changing work environment, different modes of service provision, and stark health inequities to meet the needs of patients and families in a crisis. IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL PROVIDERS: COVID-19 vastly impacted the personal and professional lives of POSW, warranting attentiveness to lessons learned and future directions.

The international exchange program: In the first person.

This commentary presents personal reflections on the Social Work Leadership Enhancement Program in the Department of Social Work Services at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. The value of the program, not only for the participants from other countries, but also the value of the exposure of social workers from other countries to the department staff is recognized. The international influence is unequalled. How if affects and nurtures global social work thinking, its impact on those taking part in the program, as well as the ever-expanding influence of the program on a growing network of social workers is noted.

Pediatric HIV adherence: an ever-evolving challenge.

Providers working with children living with HIV strive to achieve "good adherence," often viewed only as consistent pill taking by the infected child. This goal, while important, needs to be expanded with a thorough examination of the many biopsychosocial factors impacting the HIV affected family. The complexity of the issues affecting adherence to a pediatric HIV medical regimen can overwhelm both the practitioner and the patient. By utilizing a developmental framework and emphasizing the critical importance of the relationship between provider, patient and family, the authors (both of whom are social workers who have worked over a period of many years with children and families living with terminal and serious chronic illnesses) describe a developmental approach that includes comprehensive assessment to address the multiple challenges faced by individuals and families they have worked with.