Psychosocial Oncology

Psychosocial Oncology        

Psychosocial care is an integral part of cancer treatment. We are committed to working with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that optimizes their ability to deal with illness. We will work with patients to define their treatment goals and concerns, and develop a plan to address them. We work closely with the oncologists, nurses, social workers, and other Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center (DF/BWCC) clinical staff to provide comprehensive, individualized care.

Contact information

To schedule an outpatient appointment (for Dana-Farber Patients only), please call our office at (617) 632-6181 to schedule (or cancel) all appointments.

To reach your psychiatrist, (9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Friday), please call (617) 632-6181.

To request an inpatient consult, please call the Department of Psychiatry at (617) 732-6701.

For emergencies and night/weekend coverage, please call (617) 732-5700 pager #13088 with urgent concerns or to speak with the psychiatrist covering for your DF/BWCC psychiatrist during nights (weekdays 6 p.m. – 8 a.m.) and weekends (Friday 6 p.m. – Monday 8 a.m.).

To renew a prescription, for prescription renewals, please call the office at (617) 632-6181 and select option 5. Please leave a voicemail message and include the name of your psychiatrist, medication, dose, and frequency of administration, as well as the telephone number of your pharmacy.

Bringing family members to your visit

Cancer affects not only the patient, but the family as well. If you feel it would be helpful to bring a family member to your visit, feel free to do so.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Our psychiatrists work closely with all members of your oncology team. We believe that it is important for your oncologist to have a general understanding of your psychosocial concerns, your medications, and how you are coping. We strive to balance your needs for privacy and confidentiality with the need for the key members of your team to know you and your unique situation. We are aware that some issues may arise that you would not want shared with other clinicians and welcome your input about what is and is not to be shared with other members of the team. We will be happy to talk about any concerns you might have about confidentiality.

What will be in your medical record?

The psychiatrist will dictate a summary note for each visit. These notes will be inserted in a restricted note section of your electronic medical record and will not be released to anyone outside DF/BWCC without your explicit permission. Details that are not necessary for other clinicians are not included in these summaries. In general, the following issues are included in the record: reason for referral; cancer diagnosis and treatment; emotional responses to your illness; family history; social information such as family situation, work, social supports; religion and spirituality; past mental health treatment; past medical problems; usage of alcohol or drugs; medications and allergies; use of complementary and alternative therapies; and observations, conclusions, and recommendations about treatment. If you have concerns about including any of these issues in your chart, please speak with your psychiatrist.

Psychosocial Services for Patients Undergoing Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplants

Specialized psychosocial services are offered to patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplant. The psychosocial service team is available before, during, and after transplant to assist with evaluation and management of the social and emotional issues patients may experience. The psychosocial service team works closely with the transplant physicians and nurses, so that all aspects of care are coordinated throughout the course of treatment. In addition, there is ongoing psychosocial research, with the long-term objective of contributing to the best possible clinical experience.

Faculty

Susan Block, MD, Chair, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care
Ilana Braun, MD, Chief, Division of Adult Psychosocial Oncology
Karen Fasciano, PsyD, Attending Psychologist
Fremonta Meyer, MD, Attending Psychiatrist
John Peteet, MD, Attending Psychiatrist
Halyna Vitagliano, MD, Attending Psychiatrist
Sharon Bober, PhD, Attending Psychosocial
Andrea Patenaude, PhD, Attending Psychologist/ Psychosocial Research

Trainees:
Nicole Herschenhous, MD, Fellow
Kelly Trevino, PsyD, Fellow