Evaluation of Practice Report 4441

Evaluation of Practice Report

November 14, 2014
Field Seminar 4441
Wayne State University School of Social Work
EC5994
Chelsey Pasha

Evaluation of Practice Report 4441

The anticipation of field placement my BSW junior year made me anxious the whole
year. I thought about my top three places carefully. I was first told that bachelor level students
couldnt intern in the hospital setting. I volunteered earlier that year for St. Johns Macomb in the
Social Work department, so I knew that I wanted to stay in the health care aspect of social work.
I met with Takisha who is the field placement advisor for the bachelors and masters level
students. Originally I wanted to go to Care Matters in Ferndale, but I didnt know what Takisha
would say or if she would even agree that I should be placed in an internship that catered to
health care. We talked for what seemed like hours about potential places, what I could handle and
any fears that I may have had at that time. I was shocked when she told me that she would
recommend Karmanos for field placement, after all I thought it wasnt an option for BSW
students, but Takisha told me that she believed that I could handle it and that was all the
reassurance I needed to take on Karmanos!

Mission/Purpose of Agency

Karmanos Cancer Institute mission is a unique, integrated center of research, patient care
and education, dedicated to the prevention, early detection, treatment and eventual eradication of
cancer. Karmanos Cancer Institute serves the inner city of Detroit. It operates in the heart of
Detroit and stands as the only Cancer Institute in Michigan. Each year Karmanos receives six
thousand new cancer patients to receive treatment and care. Karmanos also offers access to more
than 100 cancer treatments that no other local hospital has access to (Karmanos Cancer Center,
2014). Caring for more than 6,000 new patients annually and conducting more than 700 cancerspecific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, the Karmanos Cancer Center is

Evaluation of Practice Report 4441

among the nations best cancer centers (Karmanos Cancer Institute, 2014). Through the
commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 faculty members, and supported by thousands
of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate cancer
(Karmanos Cancer Institute, 2014). Karmanos long-term partnership with the WSU School of
Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care
(Karmanos Cancer Center, 2014).
Overview of the Population Served

The population at Karmanos consists of a very diverse one. The cancer patients make up
different ethnic backgrounds. Most of the people who come to Karmanos are cancer patients who
are seeking treatment. The patients at Karmanos also represent different economic classes; the
Cancer Institute serves the city of Detroit where most of the residents are impoverished.
Karmanos helps to provide services to anyone, no matter what insurance the patient may have.
Karmanos takes pride in serving its cancer patients on a day-to-day basis.

My Role within the Agency

At Karmanos I work in the supportive services office. I work with two other ladies one
who is a social worker and one who works on coordinating events within Karmanos. Together
we provide transportation to patients who do not have a way to get back and forth to their doctors
appointments and I keep track of certain programs, which later can be reported to the head of our
department. In the afternoon I spend about thirty minutes in the Infusion center where the
patients receive chemo. I talk with them about the services they can receive as well as to assure

Evaluation of Practice Report 4441

them that they always have a social worker whether they utilize our services or not. Myself, and
one law student run Cancer Connection every Wednesday in the corridor of Harper Hospital and
Karmanos. We set up a table and let the patients coming into both hospitals look at our different
legal services and get information on advanced directives. The holidays are quickly approaching
and during this time we set up a program called Adopt-A-Family and currently I am in charge of
thirty families for the Christmas holiday. I work with one other colleague to go over donors for
our families and make sure that the holidays are filled with happiness even if it is in the smallest
way. During down time I help patients find information on support groups as well as resources to
help them to get the help they need with things such as transportation, coupons for things like
ensure and food, and important information.

Other Disciplines represented in the Agency

Karmanos works with the LAPC as well as art therapy through Wayne State University.
The LAPC represent the patients who need legal services but cant afford it. The art therapist is
also represented through Wayne State University, and they work with the patients on expressing
emotions through art. Every Wednesday I work with the LAPC students on the Cancer
Connection, we also share ideas on what is beneficial for the patients as it relates to social work
and legal issues. The art therapist comes in three times a week to meet with the patients, and we
are currently working on Santas night with the elves. The art therapist and I come up with ideas
to work with patients who cant express their concerns verbally but through art. We make
referrals and set them up with resources.

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How Clients access and enter the System

Often times patients are referred to seek treatment at Karmanos by their primary
physician. Karmanos serves as one-stop-shop for our patients. When client first come in they are
welcomed in the front of the hospital, then they are greeted at financial services. Financial
services makes sure that the patient has insurance and if they dont they help the patient to enroll.
Depending on the type of cancer that the patient may have the patient determines which clinic
they escorted to, a clinic that caters to their cancer. The patients who are being admitted into the
hospital inpatient are admitted for various reasons, the most serious of issues being
complications due to cancer.
How Clients progress through the System/How they Terminate

Karmanos Cancer center caters to every one of its cancer patients. Patients at Karmanos
may progress through the system if their cancer prognosis becomes better. They may no longer
need treatment on a daily basis or their cancer may completely go into remission. That is the only
way a patient may progress at Karmanos. Patients who are inpatient may be discharged from the
hospital after the physician decides that the patient is okay to go home. Once the patient is
discharged does not mean he or she are no longer a patient of Karmanos, it simply means that
they are okay to go home. Patients who cancer goes into remission are still considered patients of
Karmanos but they may no longer have to come except for yearly appointments. Patients at
Karmanos are always seen as a patient no matter if they are cancer free. Once a patient always a
patient is how Karmanos works.

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Karmanos Commitment to the Community

Karmanos takes pride in serving the inner city of Detroit. Karmanos treats hundreds of
patients on a daily basis. Karmanos Cancer Institute takes pride in serving the community and
surrounding cities. Karmanos has two other centers outside of its Detroit location; one of the
locations is in Farmington Hills, and the other being in Southfield. All three locations work hard
to serve the surrounding communities with great medical staff who serve to make the patients
experience a good one. Karmanos works with hundreds of doctors to arrange for convenient care
for patients and families (Karmanos Cancer Center, 2014). Together, our cancer teams and your
doctor can recommend the best treatment options with immediate access to the latest cancerfighting drugs and therapies (Karmanos Cancer Center, 2014). At Karmanos the staff makes sure
your first chance at beating cancer is your best chance toward a future free of cancer (Karmanos
Caner Center, 2014).
Karmanos has changed my outlook on a lot of things in my life. I am grateful that the
field placement advisor took a chance on sending me to such a prestigious place. My first few
weeks at Karmanos started off bumpy but now I understand the policies and procedures and it
makes everything easy. I enjoy working at Karmanos and the smile that others are able to bring
to me is the most important part of my day.

Evaluation of Practice Report 4441

Reference

Karmanos Cancer Institute (n.d.). Karmanos: Who we are. Retrieved from

http://www.karmanos.org/About .2014