As this issue of Conquest went to press, Barbara Beasley was happy to be back at work among the beautiful paintings she so enjoys. She had enrolled in a chemoprevention trial under way at M. D. Anderson to reduce her risk for a recurrence of breast cancer — and she was talking with her three daughters about being aware of the disease.

“I am thrilled with the exceptional care at M. D. Anderson. Because of the coordinated team of doctors, nurses and so many others, I felt confident and peaceful during my battle with breast cancer,” Beasley observed.

Once she recovered from breast surgery, Beasley also resumed such favorite family activities as having her 5-year-old grandson spend one night a week at her house. She noted, “It takes lots of energy to keep up with the grandkids.”

ocial workers have been instrumental in caring for thousands of M. D. Anderson patients and their families since 1947, helping them to cope more effectively with life changes that often occur with a cancer diagnosis.

As an integral part of the health care team, the institution’s 38 licensed social workers serve more than 30,000 patients a year and are assigned to various inpatient and outpatient areas throughout the center.

“In the Department of Social Work, our mission is to eliminate the psychosocial barriers to cancer care,” says Margaret Meyer, director of the department. “To be an effective social worker at M. D. Anderson, one needs to be a team player, have many skills and be able to handle multiple tasks in order to ensure a smooth transition for our patients through the continuum of care.”

Lakshmi Naik, senior social work counselor, adds, “It’s important to understand that patients’ psychosocial circumstances and ability to cope have a great impact on their treatment and care, regardless of their financial wellness. The earlier we see patients, the better equipped they will be to move through the care system and will less likely encounter avoidable crises.”

On any given day, social workers assess patients’ ability to cope with their disease, identify barriers to treatment, provide short-term and crises-oriented counseling, conduct support group meetings and relaxation exercises, and help patients access community resources.

In coordination with case managers, they also assist with discharge planning, whether that involves hospice counseling, sending a patient home with provider services, or facilitating a patient’s transition from the hospital to an outside facility, such as inpatient hospice, a nursing home or a rehabilitation center. To round out the day, their expertise often is called upon to provide insight into ethical concerns and other patient issues.