POSTER abstract
Being an overseas trained professional Social Worker in the Australian health service, then becoming “the patient” with a Breast Cancer diagnosis has been a challenging journey since March 2013. The acute cancer treatment pathway vs. the more chronic nature of the Lymphoedema condition which followed was more overwhelming to consider as it is ongoing as compared to the treatment for cancer which had a finishing point. In this presentation, exploration of the acceptance of Lymphoedema found through information, education and treatment strategies will be shown and celebrated. The link between my personal journey and how I brought these lessons to my professional practice with other patients will also be considered. Instilling hope and the fact that life goes on are important messages professionals need to provide to patients to promote acceptance.
Poster References:
2 Australian Association of Social Workers website (www.aasw.asn.au)
3 Social Work Intervention Research with Adult Cancer Patients: A Literature Review and Reflection on Knowledge-Building for Practice, R. Pocket; M. Dzidowska; K. Hobbs, Social Work in Health Care 54:582-614, 2015
4 Living a Health Life with Chronic Conditions: Self-Management, K. Lorig et al, Third Edition