@article { author = {Ostadhashemi, Leila and Arshi, Maliheh and Khalvati, Maliheh and Eghlima, Mostafa and Khankeh, Hamid Reza}, title = {Social Workers in Pediatric Oncology: A Qualitative Study in Iranian Context}, journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention}, volume = {20}, number = {6}, pages = {1871-1877}, year = {2019}, publisher = {West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.}, issn = {1513-7368}, eissn = {2476-762X}, doi = {10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.6.1871}, abstract = {Background: As professionals, social workers have a special position in relation to considering the needs ofchildren with cancer and their families. Hence, it is important to recognize the experiences and challenges of socialworkers to improve care of their clients. Method: This study was a qualitative content analysis that aimed to determinea comprehensive understanding of pediatric oncology social workers’ experiences in Iran. In total, 19 social workersparticipated in the study. A purposeful sampling method was applied until reaching data saturation. Data were collectedusing semi-structured interviews and field observations. Then, the gathered data were analyzed through face contentanalysis. The study lasted from 2015 to 2017. Finding: Concepts extracted from social workers’ experiences consistedof the nature of oncology work, lack of professional competence, low organizational support and professional inferioritythat were related to main concept of “exhausting and stressful service”. The results indicated that social workers’involvement in stressful and emotionally demanding situations and facing with professional and organizationalchallenges caused personal exhaustion. Conclusion: In addition to explaining the social workers’ experiences andrelated factors, the results emphasize the importance of taking care of service providers to prevent them becomingstressed and exhausted. It is also important to protect patients from the consequences of stressed and exhausted careproviders so further research is recommended to develop specific intervention.}, keywords = {pediatric oncology,cancer,social worker,burn out,Stress}, url = {https://journal.waocp.org/article_88619.html}, eprint = {https://journal.waocp.org/article_88619_2ce7f24c37e570fc29ced70f3c6ca1a6.pdf} }