You Can Only Go Full Speed for So Long: The Career Development of Psychologists Working in Psychosocial Oncology Settings

Abstract

Cancer centers have adopted a holistic approach to cancer treatment to better meet the psychosocial needs of cancer survivors. However, the current number of psychosocial providers in oncology is inadequate to meet the growing demand and psychosocial providers may face barriers in accessing oncology-specific training. The current study aims to explore the career development of psychologists working in oncology to inform training and workplace supports, as well as to inform training for health psychologists interested in other sub-specialties. Interviews were conducted with 20 psychologists with oncology work experience. Data were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research method. Results indicated three primary domains: (a) factors influencing entry into the field, (b) factors influencing ongoing career decision-making, and (c) factors influencing success in psychosocial oncology. The complexities of these domains are discussed; suggestions for supporting psychologists interested in psychosocial oncology at individual as well as systemic levels are provided.

Sustaining factors, rewards, and challenges for psychologists providing clinical care in psycho‐oncology

“…Career development/path, 12 Future career plans and aspirations, Professional identity, and Advice and training recommendations.…”

“…; and What do you view as the greatest challenges of working in this particular career? For context, the other four domains that emerged from the larger study were: Career development/path, 12 Future career plans and aspirations, Professional identity, and Advice and training recommendations.…”

“…Our methods are described elsewhere in more detail. 12 The research team was nine people-three psychology faculty members (two who see cancer survivors in part-time practice), three doctoral students, and three undergraduates. Experience in psycho-oncology ranged from none to a decade of research and clinical work.…”

“…Researchers analyze data to reach consensus in understanding participant interviews. Our methods are described elsewhere in more detail 12 . The research team was nine people—three psychology faculty members (two who see cancer survivors in part‐time practice), three doctoral students, and three undergraduates.…”

Perspectives of postdoctoral fellows: A qualitative study of clinical supervision in psycho-oncology.

“…Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of psychology graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are seeking specialized training in psycho-oncology. Much of the preparation for psycho-oncology occurs during graduate and postdoctoral training in publicly funded settings, such as academic and Veteran Affairs medical centers (Raque-Bogdan et al, 2019), which tend to see more medically complex, economically disadvantaged patients. Therefore, as the general population ages, cancer diagnoses increase, and cancer prognoses improve and extend lifespans, publicly funded settings may become even more important for meeting the needs of cancer survivors and for training psychologists in psycho-oncology.…”