Perspectives of postdoctoral fellows: A qualitative study of clinical supervision in psycho-oncology.

Given the prevalence and distress associated with a cancer diagnosis, the training of psycho-oncology providers to meet the mental health needs of cancer survivors warrants investigation. Clinical supervision is a key teaching strategy for psychology trainees, particularly during a postdoctoral fellowship when trainees are gaining specialized training and making important career decisions. This qualitative study examined how postdoctoral fellows in psycho-oncology used clinical supervision and the supervisory relationship for their personal and professional development.

Sustaining factors, rewards, and challenges for psychologists providing clinical care in psycho-oncology.

Objective: Many who choose to work in oncology manage an ongoing tension-the work is rewarding, yet simultaneously challenging. Given the need for psychosocial professionals to provide treatment for the increasing number of cancer survivors in our aging society, it is important to consider what helps and hinders professionals in their work. Therefore, this study sought to understand the work experiences of psychologists working in psycho-oncology, specifically clarifying the rewards and challenges they experience as a result of their occupation.

You Can Only Go Full Speed for So Long: The Career Development of Psychologists Working in Psychosocial Oncology Settings.

Cancer centers have adopted a holistic approach to cancer treatment to better meet the psychosocial needs of cancer survivors. However, the current number of psychosocial providers in oncology is inadequate to meet the growing demand and psychosocial providers may face barriers in accessing oncology-specific training. The current study aims to explore the career development of psychologists working in oncology to inform training and workplace supports, as well as to inform training for health psychologists interested in other sub-specialties.

Cancer-related hair loss: a selective review of the alopecia research literature.

Objective: Alopecia is a common side effect of cancer treatment, affecting approximately 65% of patients. Healthcare providers and allied staff recognize that alopecia is distressing for people with cancer; however, they are often unaware of the extent of distress or the great efforts expended by patients to cope with hair loss. This study reviews the existing literature regarding the psychosocial impact of alopecia on cancer survivors and the coping strategies they use to manage hair loss.

Psychosocial staffing at National Comprehensive Cancer Network member institutions: data from leading cancer centers.

Objective: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is comprised of 25 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers and arguably could thus set the standard for optimal psychosocial staffing for cancer centers; therefore, information was sought from NCCN Member Institutions about their current staffing for psychosocial services. These findings are put into perspective given the limited existing literature and consensus reports.

Methods: The NCCN Best Practices Committee surveyed member institutions about their staffing for psychosocial services.

Resilience in adults with cancer: development of a conceptual model.

Objective: Resilience is a construct addressed in the psycho-oncology literature and is especially relevant to cancer survivorship. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for resilience that is specific to adults diagnosed with cancer.

Methods: To establish the proposed model, a brief review of the various definitions of resilience and of the resilience literature in oncology is provided.

Group therapy among OEF/OIF veterans: treatment barriers and preferences.

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) combat Veterans are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many are seeking treatment from the Veterans Health Administration; yet, it is an ongoing challenge to engage some Veterans in sustained mental health services, especially group therapy for PTSD. This pilot study assessed OEF/OIF Veterans' prior use of mental health treatment and perceived barriers to and interest in group therapy for PTSD using a survey distributed in one outpatient OEF/OIF PTSD specialty clinic in the Midwest.

Fruit and vegetable dietary behavior in response to a low-intensity dietary intervention: the rural physician cancer prevention project.

Context: Increased fruit and vegetable intake can reduce cancer risk. Information from this study contributes to research exploring health disparities in high-risk dietary behavior.

Purpose: Changes in fruit and vegetable behavior were evaluated to assess the effects of a low-intensity, physician-endorsed dietary intervention in a rural population.