Family-Centered Oncology Social Work Practice in Stem Cell Transplantation Process

The treatment of stem cell transplantation in hematological cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma is detrimental to the adult patient and his family, along with the physical and psychosocial problems. The inefficient number of studies investigating the role of social workers in stem cell transplantation in Turkish literature and the need for psychosocial services in oncology services constitute the problem of this study. It was discussed that the social work services should provide family centered support before, after and during the treatment. Accordingly, oncology social work units should be involved in the diagnosis phase before the stem cell transplantation process and continue their services after the discharge. In this study, it was discussed that oncology hospitals should establish oncology social work units that specializes in family-centered work, counselling should be provided for family members on financial issues, caring for the children and for the patient. Oncology social work units should also pay attention not to externalize the children and inform them about their parents' health status