SOCIAL-WORK IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY - A FAMILY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the family is confronted with m eeting both the physical and psychosocial needs of the child and maint aining normal family functioning. This study assessed the perceived ps ychosocial needs of 77 families who have a child diagnosed with cancer . Preliminary results suggest practical application for social work in terventions in specific areas such as the development of an informal s upport network, enhancement of communication within families concernin g the disease, the need for adequate information at various stages of the disease, and continued supportive services for the family.