Cancer patients, and their family members report their lives, from point of diagnosis and beyond (past initial treatment completion) are markedly stressful. Research data confirms patient compliance and patient satisfaction with their treatment, the cancer program institution, and their physicians, is often sealed by the hands-on staff who counsel (formally or informally) throughout treatment. Counseling covers a variety of topics, from physical side-effects (e.g. mouthsores), to personal relations, to fear and anxiety. Patients identify counseling near the end of treatment as especially valuable.
The Oncology Group is well-versed in guiding teams, across multiple disciplines, some outside the traditional oncology service line, to develop psycho-social counseling plans for patients.