Background
To increase access to oncology supportive care services, evidence-based and population-based approaches are needed. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) implemented the Supportive Oncology Collaborative (SOC), a unified service providing psychosocial and palliative care based on the collaborative care model. Oncology Social Workers (OSW) play a central role in providing psychosocial services, but there is little guidance on how to incorporate OSW into a model that integrates both psychosocial and palliative care. This presentation will describe a large-scale OSW training program used to successfully implement SOC.
Methods
SOC was implemented as a pilot in 2020 and due to the pilot’s success, expanded to five additional locations. OSW leadership team (LT) identified variances in OSW practice patterns. LT developed the following to improve SOC fidelity and enhance OSW clinical skills: core components of OSW role, essential clinical competencies, case presentation template, handbook, training program, and peer mentor program. A dashboard was built to aggregate process and outcome data for quality improvement purposes.
Results
Four managers and 27 OSW were trained in the SOC model and an additional 35 will be trained through 2028. The tools, training program, and timeline developed will be presented. SOC was implemented in four regional campus locations (RC) between 2020-2024. SOC increased overall access to OSW by 92% and to combined psychosocial and palliative care by 280%. OSW report positive feedback about their role in SOC, “This model is transdisciplinary, it allowed me to learn outside of my specialty and work at the top of my license.” Additional results will be presented.
Clinical Implications
SOC can increase access to psychosocial and palliative care services and improve clinical outcomes. OSW are key clinicians in SOC and require education and training to successfully implement interventions. The tools developed for large-scale OSW training programs can assist institutions in implementing SOC.