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.
Keywords: COVID-19; childhood cancer; inequities; pandemic; psychosocial; social work practice; telehealth.