The Psycho-Oncology support service provides ongoing complementary care for many patients and families.

 

The integrative approach emphasizes improving quality of life, appreciating
the intimate relationship between disease process and the existential nature of illness and providing care with dignity, integrity and compassion. We have a dedicated service that includes Social Work Services, nutritional consultation, pastoral support and many in the Nursing Department who lead support groups on a monthly basis.

 

Currently, we have eight support groups and seminars which include: Brain Tumor Support, Look Good/ Feel Better, New Beginnings, Prostate Cancer Support and Advanced Prostate Cancer Support Groups, Prostate Cancer Support Group for Woman, Woman with Cancer, Bereavement and a new program called, “Man to Man” which provides patient facilitated one-on-one support. In addition, “The Next Step,” Cancer on Ropes which provides a one-day support seminar which focuses on: finding your strength, developing a sense of hope, increasing the patient’s role in healing, changing the way we all view cancer.

 

Other activities this year include:
• The Partnership for Breast Care program has created a phone triage service and a referral service that helps provide more support and diagnosis at the time of need.
• Continued inpatient and outpatient consultation with the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, which consulted with 187 people with the diagnosis of cancer.
• Collaboration with the Palliative Medicine unit and Palliative Medicine Consult Service providing ongoing Consultation Psychiatry.