Research Report: The significance of psycho-social support for cancer patients and victors, in association with Nirmala Niketan, College of Social Work, Mumbai

Established in 1955, the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan (CSWNN), has been working on training competent Social Workers with a global perspective and a strong value base to raise the voices of the vulnerable and exploited. Through its independent research unit set up around 25 years ago, CSWNN has undertaken projects involving many kinds of projects involving qualitative, quantitative, action-based, assessment-based and survey-based research.

Objectives of the study

• Assessing the need for psycho-social care among cancer patients and survivors
• Understanding the perspective of medical experts towards interventions made by Sanjeevani
• Evaluating the adequacy about psycho-social services provided by Sanjeevani
• Reviewing the challenges faced by Sanjeevani angels in providing these services

The Findings

• There is an increasing influx of patients leading to inadequate interactions with doctors
• The lack of adequate personnel to address the informational needs of patients often leads to elevated anxiety and stress amongst them
• Both oncologists, as well as patients, have unanimously expressed a strong need for psycho-social support to help the patients remain motivated through the course of their treatment.
• Doctors can provide prescriptions, but certified caregivers can offer strength, hope and support to cancer patients as well as facilitate meaningful conversations with their doctors.

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