Psychosocial assessment of patients who have undergone inpatient cancer rehabilitation

This study summarized the social work services provided in an acute inpatient cancer rehabilitation program. Reviewed were 49 consecutive social worker assessments from February 2003 to March 2003. The social worker was consulted mostly for discharge planning (40/49, 82%) and helping patients cope (23/49, 47%). Sixty-seven percent of the patients (33/49) were coping well. Sixty-five percent of patients (32/49) had an identified caregiver. Most patients planned to go home (33/49, 67%) after their discharge. Interventions provided by the social worker included counseling (100% of patients/ families), referral to financial resources (24/49, 49%) and transportation services (21/49, 43%), and other resources (37/49, 76%). Age, gender, and identified caregiver did not show significant association with the coping status or referrals. The social worker is important in assessing cancer patients' coping and providing support.