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Social Work at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Information for patients and families Read this information to learn how social workers can help you and your family cope with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Psychosocial Oncology Clinic Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – 16th floor Phone: 416 946 4525 Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca © 2015 University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Team Revised: 01/2015 Form: D-5644 Social workers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre are part of the Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Program. They can help you and your family cope with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Social workers can help you or your family member: • cope with emotions like fear, anxiety, sadness, sense of loss, and anger • make decisions about treatment • find financial help such as income support programs, drug coverage and disability pensions • refer you to other community resources such as driving services, home supports and other programs How else do social workers help? Health care teams provide cancer care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. These teams include: • doctors • nurses • other allied health professionals • students and fellows • your family doctor • Community Care Access Centre Your social worker is also a member of your health care team. Keeping records To provide care to you and your family, all members of your health care team, including your social worker: • write in patients' medical charts about the contact and help provided to patients and families • communicate health care information about patients and families to other members of the health care team 2 Keeping your information private Keeping your personal health information private is very important to your health care team. It’s important to tell your social worker which friends or family members they can share health information with. Sometimes to provide help, your social worker may need to contact people who are not members of your health care team (for example, a home help agency or an income support program). Your social worker will ask for your permission before making these contacts. Your social worker will share your information without your permission only when: • they have to by law (for example, if there is a warrant) • there is a risk of someone harming themselves or others Individual counselling Individual counselling can help you deal with many emotions you may be feeling, including anxiety, depression, stress and loss of control. Counselling may include helping you identify your fears, deal with uncertainty and learn new ways to cope. Reducing stress Stress can make coping with cancer and recovering more difficult. We can help you identify causes of stress and teach you skills to help you manage your stress more effectively. Resource counselling Our social workers can help guide you through important decisions and practical concerns. We can help you find and arrange the services you need in the hospital and the community. 3 Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Dealing with a serious illness such as cancer can be stressful. You and your family may be stressed or confused. You may not know about the help, support and treatment that is available at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Our team of social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and palliative doctors and nurses can provide: • counselling and therapies in different settings • expert help to relieve pain and other symptoms • other supports in the hospital or in your community during or after your treatment The Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Program provides support to help you and your family adjust to the illness, reduce stress and improve your emotional well being. Your social worker: Name: Phone: Please let your social worker know the best way to contact you by home phone, cell phone, fax, mail or email. Notes: The development of patient education resources is supported by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. 4