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Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology: Textbook for Multidisciplinary Care pp 367–377Cite as

Self-Care and Sustainability for Pediatric Oncology Providers

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Abstract

Practitioners in pediatric oncology perform complex tasks and engage patients and their families under very stress-filled circumstances. Devotion to the work, team collaboration, and satisfaction in the work are important influences on sustaining involvement and commitment to practice in this area. However, patients and families suffer. Practitioners observe, engage, and are affected by this exposure to the suffering of others. A review of the literature demonstrates the imperative for self-care. Self-care practices become essential components of maintaining a healthy balance and sustainability in the work. This chapter reviews the impact of secondary traumatic stress on the pediatric oncology practitioner, the team, and the organization. The importance of team work and administrative supports that encourage resilience and sustainable practice is discussed. Recommendations for best practice are provided.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, Mail Stop D3500, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Barbara L. Jones PhD, MSW

  2. School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Peters Hall 105, 1404 Gortner Avenue St, Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Stacy S. Remke MSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW

Authors
  1. Barbara L. Jones PhD, MSW
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  2. Stacy S. Remke MSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara L. Jones PhD, MSW .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hemat. Oncol. Massachusetts General Hosp, Div. of Child & Adol. Psychiatry & Pedia, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Annah N. Abrams

  2. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Depart. of Psychosocial Oncol. & Palliat, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Anna C. Muriel

  3. National Cancer Instit. Center for Cance, Pediatric Oncology Branch , Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Lori Wiener

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Jones, B.L., Remke, S.S. (2016). Self-Care and Sustainability for Pediatric Oncology Providers. In: Abrams, A., Muriel, A., Wiener, L. (eds) Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology: Textbook for Multidisciplinary Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21374-3_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21374-3_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-21373-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-21374-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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