By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Getting Back in the Game: Sports Injuries Rehabilitation Tips
    May 31, 2023
    4 Signs It’s Time to See a Therapist
    May 24, 2023
    11 Ways To Modernize Your Private Practice
    May 17, 2023
    How to Recognize the Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Men
    May 29, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare tech
    Healthcare Companies Are Now Technology Companies?
    May 21, 2014
    fixing healthcare
    Are Epiphanies the Key to Fixing Healthcare?
    March 2, 2015
    How crazy is Ted Cruz’s FDA reform proposal?
    January 4, 2016
    Latest News
    MRI Sedation Options: What You Should Know Before Screening
    May 17, 2023
    What is the Process of Creating Medicine from Nature?
    May 2, 2023
    Choosing the Right Treatment Option for Varicose Veins
    May 2, 2023
    What Are Wrong-Site Surgeries and How Do They Occur?
    April 27, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Finding The Gaps In Your Oncology Program: Thinking Wellness
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health care > Finding The Gaps In Your Oncology Program: Thinking Wellness
Health careWellness

Finding The Gaps In Your Oncology Program: Thinking Wellness

Larry Alton
Last updated: 2019/04/14 at 11:23 AM
Larry Alton
Share
6 Min Read
Finding The Gaps In Your Oncology Program: Thinking Wellness
SHARE

 

Cancer treatment has evolved rapidly in recent years, with new treatment modalities and medications improving survival rates for countless different types of cancer. One of the most important changes to cancer treatment, however, is the emphasis on multidisciplinary treatment teams. By bringing together oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, nurses, and pain management specialists, hospitals surround patients with familiar faces who are also specialists in their field. But there’s still something missing.

If you look at your hospital’s oncology program, and at other oncology programs across the country, you’ll notice a trend: while they offer comprehensive physical health services, many overlook patient mental health. This is a serious problem because as many as 25% of cancer patients suffer depression during their illness. Providing wellness-focused programming as part of cancer care, then, could make a significant difference to patients, improving the quality of care and their outlook during treatment.

Expanding The Team

More Read

health risks of dirty mattress

Clean Your Mattress Properly to Avoid Common Health Issues

Understanding the Relationship Between Trauma and Chronic Pain
The Best Natural Sleep Remedies & Aids
The Best Natural Ways to Boost Your Body Energy & Focus
Obese? 5 Reasons You Should Lose Weight (Some Are Surprising!)

The first and most fundamental thing that oncology centers can do to provide better care for patients is to add psychologists to existing multidisciplinary teams. This is the approach encouraged by the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE), a training program targeted to psychology Ph.D. students and based out of the University of Denver. Psychologists trained by the COPE program are specifically educated on the nature of depression and grief in cancer patients, changing relationships, and other forms of psychosocial distress.

In addition to helping patients cope with negative emotions associated with their diagnosis, therapeutic interventions can help patients deal more productively with their illness. According to The Gawler Cancer Foundation, negative emotions such as depression and anxiety can impair motivation and the ability to make decisions. In practical terms, that means patients may struggle to decide on the next steps in their course of treatment, may miss appointments, and therefore may otherwise compromise their level of care. Adding a psychologist to the primary treatment team can help patients manage those feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them.

A Human Touch

When patients are being treated for cancer, there is often a feeling that people only touch them to point out a new mass, insert a needle, or perform some other unpleasant procedure. Used properly, though, touch can be deeply healing, and that’s why the grant program, Angie’s Spa, funds oncology massage programs and other integrative healing practices in hospitals throughout the country.

Angie’s Spa was founded in honor of a young woman who died of breast cancer in 2007, but the program is about more than indulgence. No, studies have shown that massage therapy can relieve cancer symptoms and side effects of chemotherapy, including pain, nausea, depression, and fatigue. More importantly, though, oncology massage creates connections at a time when patients may feel very isolated.

The Power Of Distraction

Sometimes better mental health is built on the simplest foundation. In fact, one of the principals of dialectical behavioral therapy is the use of distraction and basic self-soothing to manage distress. In formal therapeutic programs, this might include mindfulness activities, doing puzzles, or anything that gives patients a sense of mastery over their emotions. But unfortunately, cancer treatment often consists of endless hours of infusions when patients have little to do besides dwell on their illness. That’s why hospitals need to help patients fill that time with little moments of pleasure.

Children’s hospitals mastered the power of distraction years ago, stocking patient rooms and infusion areas with games, coloring books, and snacks, but this isn’t enough. Programs like Better Day Buddies don’t just provide diversions, but the volunteers interact with patients and their parents, giving everyone a badly needed break from the day-to-day grind of treatment. It also takes away from the feeling of isolation that cancer often causes.

And what about adults? Though adult patients regularly turn up with books or knitting, they also need a pleasant distraction from treatment, and programs like Cancer Wellness Connections are happy to fill the gap. Whether they’re playing cards and sharing snacks or guiding patients through gentle, seated exercise, volunteers are always welcome in the infusion room. It makes the treatment go more quickly and helps patients retain a positive outlook.

Programs like those offered through Cancer Wellness Connections and Angie’s Spa are just a small sampling of how hospitals and non-profits are working together to make mental well-being a central part of oncology programs. For hospitals interested in expanding their offerings, however, they also provide a sense of what’s possible, and most importantly, an example of what works well for cancer patients. At the end of the day, we shouldn’t sacrifice wellness in the pursuit of health, but that doesn’t always come naturally in the midst of aggressive cancer treatment.

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Larry Alton July 5, 2018
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Emphasizing Eye Care In Primary Care Practice Emphasizing Eye Care In Primary Care Practice
Next Article 11 Healthy ways to put your body into shape

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

11 ways nurses can care for patients during mental health crises
11 ways nurses can care for patients during mental health crises
Mental Health June 6, 2023
test
Essential Steps for Starting Your Journey as a Fitness Instructor
Fitness June 5, 2023
mimosa pudica
Health Benefits of Mimosa Pudica: The Marvel of Nature
News June 2, 2023
medical bills
Who is Responsible for Paying the Medical Bills After an Injury?
News June 1, 2023

You Might also Like

benefits of urgent care
Health

What Are the Advantages of Urgent Care Facilities?

April 14, 2023
don't sleep with contact lenses
Wellness

Why You Should Never Sleep While Wearing Your Contacts

April 4, 2023
orthotics
Wellness

Find the Perfect Orthotic Device to Make Foot Pain Manageable

April 4, 2023
sleep apnea
News

Viktoriya Dombrovska Shares Insights on Sleep Apnea

April 3, 2023
//

We influence million of users and is the most authentic source of information on healthcare business and technology news.

Quick Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US

© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?