Author: Director of Social Services, I-Ting Su
Director Su currently serves as the head of the Social Services Department at the KFSYSCC. Specializing in medical social work, she assesses the social and psychological needs of cancer patients and their families, and links them to social welfare resources. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Taipei University's Department of Social Work. In 2009, she obtained the national certificate for social work, and in 2015, she passed the specialized medical social worker examination. That same year, she received an award for exemplary social work in Taipei. She has been serving in the hospital's Social Services Department since 2006.
Helping Patients is Our Sacred Duty
Social Services Office
The Social Services Office is located near the central counter on the B1 level, in the direction towards the Disease Inspection Department. The office is strategically placed here to ensure that patients and their families can find us easily when needed. Our commitment has always been to provide services that are both accessible and approachable.
For 30 years, KFSYSCC’s Social Services Office has grown from having a single social worker at its inception to now boasting 9 state-exam certified social workers, 5 of whom specialize in medical services. This staffing level surpasses the national hospital evaluation requirement by threefold, demonstrating KFSYSCC’s dedication to its patients. KFSYSCC deeply recognizes the profound impact a cancer diagnosis can have on both the patient and their family. With the help of social workers, the hospital aims to address the social and psychological issues arising from illness. A vital part of our care involves understanding the emotional struggles of the patient. Thus, every outpatient or inpatient at KFSYSCC is screened for emotional distress, ensuring early identification and assistance for those in need.
To ensure every patient at KFSYSCC completes their treatment without financial constraints, the hospital has established the Social Services Medical and Emergency Assistance Fund. This fund supports patients facing economic difficulties due to medical expenses. Beyond providing in-house resources, based on individual family needs, external resources are also offered or referred to lessen the burden. Fortunately, since its establishment, the fund has never faced resource shortages, ensuring that economically disadvantaged individuals receive necessary treatments. The Social Services Office would like to express gratitude to many patients treated at our hospital and benevolent donors who align with our ethos, aiding numerous patients in reducing their medical expenses.
Illness affects not just the individual, but the entire family. Apart from assisting with medical expenses, another pivotal role of our social workers is to support patients and their families in adjusting to the illness. Whether it's the initial feelings of helplessness post-diagnosis, anxiety after treatment, setbacks during relapse, or the sadness of life nearing its end, our team is always there to talk, clarify concerns, and discuss coping strategies whenever patients and families are open to our support.
Collaboration with the medical team in patient care is essential. When KFSYSCC’s medical team identifies a patient with financial, disease adjustment, or family issues, the team proactively refers them to our social workers for assistance. The social workers also inform the medical team about the family's situation, thoughts, and concerns to holistically address the patient's physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. If patients or family members are unsure how to communicate with doctors, social workers can facilitate mutual understanding and trust.
Patient Support Group
Since 2005, the Social Services Office has organized patient support groups. Currently, we have groups for head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, bone marrow transplant, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, and post-treatment patient seminars. These support groups primarily involve specialized lectures and patient interactions, offering both educational and supportive environments. They help patients understand the diagnosis and treatment process, post-treatment care, and provide emotional support and experience sharing from medical teams and fellow patients. With the rise of online communities in recent years, patients can access knowledge and shared experiences more timely. Given these developments, the Social Services Office is considering adapting the operation model to better cater to patients' needs.
Cancer Resource Integration Center
Since 2011, the Social Services Office has been responsible for the hospital's Cancer Resource Integration Center. We provide integrated cancer resources, focusing on medical care information related to cancer, emotional and psychological support, and referrals to various social resources. This includes providing information on caregiving and cancer resources; emotional and psychological support during the patient's journey through cancer treatments; and details on social welfare assistance. Additionally, we offer headscarf donations, and rental services for wigs and rehabilitation products, helping patients with their daily needs and maintaining their self-image.
Volunteer Services
The Social Services Department plays an essential role in managing volunteer services. Since its establishment, KFSYSCC has incorporated volunteer services, with the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers all overseen by our social workers. The goal of these volunteer services isn't merely to reduce staffing costs but to genuinely bring to life our philosophy of centering all efforts around the welfare of our patients. For example, volunteers are tasked with guiding new patients and introducing them to the hospital environment. They operate a service desk in the operating room area, assisting outpatients with dressing for surgery and acting as liaisons between surgical teams and waiting families. Breast cancer patient volunteers visit those who've had mastectomies to offer emotional support and share their experiences. End-of-life care volunteers offer a touch of homeliness in the hospice section through services like afternoon tea and craft activities. We also have volunteers working in the meditation room, prayer room, and with young patients. These services are designed with patients' needs at the forefront. Additionally, we host an annual Christmas gathering for patients and volunteers, sharing warm wishes and blessings through a musical celebration.
Social workers at KFSYSCC believe we are engaged in fulfilling work. Adhering to the principle of continuous case management, once a social worker gets acquainted with a patient, they remain in charge of that case. This not only allows for addressing the patient's issues but also offers a chance to deeply understand the patient and their family. Accompanying these individuals through challenging times is rewarding, especially when we see smiles return to the faces of patients and their families after facing adversity. The feedback we receive, where patients or their families express how our accompaniment helped them, allows us to truly embody the essence of our profession. Being able to support life through our own lives, demonstrates the value and significance of social workers in our hospital.
