Cancer Care
Oncology Social Work

Additional stress is often felt during the process of adjusting to an illness. Stress may be related to the disruption in daily routine; the treatment involved; or health, financial, or other concerns.

At St. Luke's Mountain State Tumor Institue (MSTI), an oncology social worker is available to work with patients, families, and support persons on their individual concerns. Patients, families, and support persons may be seen individually or together by the social worker.

St. Luke’s MSTI has a staff of licensed professional social workers who provide comprehensive psychosocial (emotional, social, and psychological) services and programs to patients and their families. Oncology social workers are knowledgeable about cancer and the various effects it can have on patients and families. Social work services can include individual or family counseling, education, advocacy, care management, or financial assistance.

Oncology social workers are available to patients and families through all phases of treatment, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, terminal care, and bereavement.

Oncology social work also provides a number of educational and support groups. These programs are designed to foster coping, provide social and emotional support, and assist in navigating through health care systems to achieve quality care.

You can contact a social worker at the following St. Luke's MSTI clinics:

Boise:           381-2760
Toll free        1-800 845-4624

Meridian:     706-1404
Toll free        1-800-473-0331

Nampa:        463-6009
Toll free        1-800-553-6415

Twin Falls:   737-2441
Toll free        1-800-947-4852

Fruitland:     452-7677
Toll free         1-800-473-9618

Emotional Support

Emotional support topics include:

• Strategies for better communication
• Enhancing self-esteem
• Body image
• Helping patient, family, and support person adapt to changes while caring for someone with cancer
• Providing strength during crisis
• Information and emotional support for children
• Coping with changes

A supportive atmosphere is provided so that patients, families, and support persons can feel free to express their feelings and discuss needs and concerns. The opportunity to vent feelings can aid in the coping process. Social workers are available to assist patients in communicating their needs to others and can help them find reasonable approaches to problems they may be facing.

Social Services

The Oncology Social Work staff members can provide insurance, financial, and housing assistance with short term referrals to community agencies such as:

• Social Security
• American Cancer Society
• Health and Welfare
• Leukemia Society
• Senior Citizens Groups
• Meals on Wheels
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Home Health Agencies

Support Group Services

 

In addition to individual counseling, support groups are available at St. Luke's MSTI. The purpose of support groups is to provide an opportunity for individuals to share experiences with others in similar situations. Those participating in the groups find that sharing experiences is not only helpful in getting through a difficult period, but also is a source of ongoing support.

For information on other support groups available in the Treasure Valley, please see the display in the Patient Resource Center, drop by the Oncology Social Work offices, or call 208-381-2760 or 1-800-845-4624.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. They provide information and questions to ask your physician. Their web site (www.cancer.org) contains valuable resources including prevention and risk factors, treatment methods, detection guidelines, and patient services that help cancer patients and their families. To reach them, call 1-800-ACS-2345.

National Cancer Institute

Cancer information specialists are available to help patients formulate questions to review with their physician, explain terminology, and provide informational material. Contact 1-800-4-CANCER.

For more information about social work at St. Luke's, see Social Work Services at St. Luke's .