1. CARING FOR HEAD & NECK CANCER PATIENTS:
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Mary Ellen McBride, LMSW, OSW-C
Head & Neck Cancer Symposium
September 9, 2016

2. Our Patients Had Lives Before Cancer
Work Issues
Family Issues
Financial Problems
Lack of Social Supports
History of Substance Abuse
History of Tobacco Abuse
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3. Now Let’s Add A New H&N Cancer
Fear/ Anxiety About Their Future
Lack of Adequate Health Insurance
Inability to Work
Increased Financial Difficulties
Transportation Problems
Lack of Help at Home
Physical effects of Illness and Treatment
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4. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Recognizes This
NCCN expects the patient’s non-medical needs to be addressed:
Physical/ Exercise
Psychological
Social
Spiritual
Financial
Nutritional
St. Joseph Mercy Health System offers all this and more. Our staff includes: Therapists (P.T. & O.T.) Social Workers Chaplains Financial Navigators Nutritionists
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5. Social Work Role
* Advocates for patients * Connects with resources both inside & out of the Health System * Facilitates FMLA & disability claims * Provides individual & family counseling * Assists with Advance Care Planning * Facilitates support groups
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6. Need for a Specialized Support Group
Continued Self Esteem Issues Post Treatment: Lack of saliva Inability to eat as before; don’t want to eat in public Decreased strength due to weight loss Disfigurement Employment issues
Challenges during treatment: Excessive mucus Feeding tubes Dehydration Weight loss Profound fatigue Embarrassment Hopelessness
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7. Ann Arbor Chapter of SPOHNC
* Group meets monthly for 90 minutes. * Patients form relationships. * Support from peers (“I found my people”). * Caregivers/ significant others included. * Patients share information & resources. * Facilitator sends out updates if necessary between meetings. * SPOHNC newsletter is a great source of information for patients.
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8. Speakers
Physician Dentist Director of Research Nurse Navigator Nurse Practitioner Pharmacist Speech Therapist
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9. Special Topics Presented
Advance Directives
Depression
Holiday Stress
Insurance Issues
ACS Guidelines for Follow-Up Care
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10. Patients treated elsewhere are welcome at our support group
Patients treated elsewhere are welcome at our support group Thank you for your attention.
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