Abstract
Research supports that early psychosocial support and timely diagnosis of depression is essential for chronically ill cancer patients. Qualitative interviews, with eight social workers in the field of oncology, were analyzed using open coding and ground theory techniques to assess perspectives of depression and factors that may lead to a misdiagnosis of depression in some cancer patients. The social works interviewed defined psychosocial support as being clinically based using instruments that assess the biopsychosocial needs of the cancer patient using implementation of psychotherapy and resource management. Social workers explored the possibility that because of the shortage of workers in this field, it is impossible to meet the needs of all their patients. Research of peer-reviewed literature revealed the crisis associated with gaps in services to cancer patients. Findings of this study support 1) ambiguity of the role of the social worker, 2) lack of collegial support 3) cultural barriers to service and 4) access to services limited. Overwhelmingly, research supports depression being widely misunderstood in chronically ill patients and their families.