APOS Member Benefit - Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
We are pleased to have our SIGs offered as one of our many member benefits. We welcome new SIG members. If you're looking to make an impact and connect with others passionate within out field, please consider learning more about the SIG you're interested in. Then, log in and apply to join the SIG.
APOS has thirteen (13) SIGs available for you to join, and we're always open to the possibility of more. Read more about how to propose a SIG below!
Learn More About Our Special Interest Groups
Feel free to read more about the SIG you may be interested in or use the links below to log into your SIG.
Bereavement
Our Mission
To advance the knowledge and practice of psychosocial care for bereaved persons and to support the development of bereavement programs within oncology settings.
- To foster awareness among psycho-oncology providers of how their practice and research efforts may be connected to the future bereavement needs of patients' surviving family members.
- To support the development of clinical and support programs for bereaved loved ones within oncology-specific settings.
- To promote research to examine links between psychosocial care of persons with advanced cancer and their families with the bereavement needs of surviving loved ones.
Cancer & Aging
Our Mission
The mission of the Cancer and Aging SIG is to bring together multidisciplinary professionals and other stakeholders to promote an interchange of ideas regarding clinical care delivery, development and cultivation of research initiatives, networking and collaborative relationships, and mentorship, with the shared goal of improving the quality of life of older adults with cancer and their caregivers.
Cancer Caregiver
Our Mission
To help work toward assuring that nationally, no cancer caregiver who is experiencing significant burden due to their critical role goes unidentified and deprived of necessary psychosocial services.
This SIG was founded in 2014 and focuses on issues relating to caregivers of patients with cancer. There is growing recognition that comprehensive care for patients with cancer involves attending to the psychosocial needs of their informal caregivers, and caregivers represent an underserved population directly affected by cancer. As a result, and by extension, the needs of cancer caregivers should be more directly and comprehensively addressed by APOS. This group is open to all members of APOS who are interested in the development and provision of services for cancer caregivers. Activities of this SIG may include participating in annual workshops, lectures, and conferences focused on caregiving.
Genetic Cancer Risk
Our Mission
To advance the knowledge, research, and clinical practice of psychosocial care for patients with genetic cancer risk across the lifespan development and care continuum within oncology settings.
• To foster awareness of the emerging psychosocial needs related to genetic cancer risk as multilayered and intersecting across the lifespan and continuum of care.
• To facilitate the development and provision of psychosocial support aimed at optimizing coping for patients with cancer predisposition and their families within oncology settings.
• To promote research investigating psychosocial aspects of genetic cancer risk for patients, parents, siblings, and caregivers.
• To provide an interdisciplinary forum for networking, collaboration, professional development, and advocacy initiatives.
Health Equity & Cultural Diversity
Our Mission
To advance the knowledge and practice of psychosocial cancer care for all members of society by eliminating barriers to inclusion and alleviating disparities.
To support APOS scientific and program efforts that address health equity, including:
- To foster awareness of health disparities in cancer, enhancing culturally and socio-ecologically responsive prevention/early detection/quality of life/psychosocial care, and promoting diversity inclusion in our field.
- To promote research, and clinical and supportive care to identify cancer disparities and promote optimal health related quality of life and survivorship outcomes for all.
- To develop and evaluate community‐based, culturally informed and clinically‐responsive research methods to enhance recruitment and retention of underserved and ethnic minority cancer populations in behavioral research trials.
To ensure that APOS scientific and program efforts involve a diverse and inclusive group of people
Learn More About This Special Interest Group
Integrative Health
Our Mission
To promote and advance patient-centered, evidence-informed, multi-disciplinary, and comprehensive cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle and behavior modifications alongside conventional cancer care to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
- The Integrative Oncology SIG aims to optimize health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes, and to empower patients to become active participants in cancer prevention and across the cancer continuum.
- To promote a forum where researchers and scientist practitioners have opportunities for networking and gaining up-to-date state of the science knowledge on complementary and integrative therapies research and clinical applications in oncology care.
- To promote a forum for collaboration and communication among multi-disciplinary scientist practitioners, clinicians, and researchers who embrace a treatment philosophy that is bio-psycho-socio-spiritual in dimension.
- To advocate for the transformation of oncology care through true integration of integrative, complementary modalities and approaches into oncology care, so that evidence-informed complementary care is accessible and part of standard cancer care for all patients and families across the cancer continuum.
Learn More About This Special Interest Group
Models of Clinical Supervision
Our Mission
Clinical supervision, a hallmark educational practice of mental health professions, involves a collaborative relationship between a more senior member of a profession and a supervisee to foster the supervisee’s competence and professional independence. Our mission is to support the unique needs of clinical supervisors in the field of psycho-oncology with an emphasis on psychotherapy training. We aim to:
- Support program development, promote research, and provide resources related to evidence-based supervisory practices,
- Cultivate a compassionate community within the field of psycho-oncology to evaluate how we meet the needs of trainees and supervisors, and
- Host lectures, workshops, and opportunities for clinical consultation related to supervision in psychooncology.
Learn More This Special Interest Group
Pediatrics/AYA
The Pediatrics/AYA Special Interest Group is a growing network of interdisciplinary professionals committed to advancing the practice and science of psychosocial care for children living with cancer and their family members. This SIG aims to:
- Promote awareness of pediatric/AYA oncology clinical and research resources.
- Provide networking and collaboration towards clinical supervision, research and funding opportunities, and professional development.
- Engage and promote best practices for incorporating psychosocial care into practice in clinics, hospital-based programs and private practice.
The overall aim of the Peds/AYA SIG is to foster a collaborative professional and networking home for APOS members working with pediatric and AYA populations. It is our goal to continue focus on the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families, with efforts to build on-going research on the Standards evidence base and practical implementation.
Additionally, the SIG is used for professional communications including the following topics: clinical challenges/supervision, referral requests/inquiries, research collaboration/questions/feedback, program development, sharing Peds/AYA SIG updates including member updates/accomplishments, new research articles or resources (books, online resources or apps), professional development opportunities, sharing policy/advocacy information, and gather resources that can be shared with the larger APOS community.
Learn More about this Special Interest Group
Program Development & Leadership
Our Mission
To connect individuals operating as Psychosocial Oncology Directors/Section Chiefs with a goal of a) creating a form to discuss the common challenges associated with operating a psychosocial oncology program, and collaboratively support leaders as they are navigating the intricacies of their organization/institution, and b) developing clear strategies to advocate for programmatic growth and resources.
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Psychiatric Oncology
Our Mission
To serve as a forum for clinical care providers and researchers focused on the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders and neuropsychiatric complications experienced by people with cancer.
- To increase collaboration between members through use of Groupsite and SIG meetings throughout the year
- To increase membership attendance at the annual meeting
- To develop collaborations with other physician/APP organizations that reach providers caring for patients with cancer
More About This Special Interest Group
Sexual & Reproductive Health
Our Mission
To promote sexual and reproductive health across the cancer continuum through education, research, and clinical practice.
- To foster recognition of sexual and reproductive health as multi-faceted and integral to quality of life and holistic cancer care.
- To facilitate opportunities for clinical intervention research and practice aimed at promoting sexual and reproductive health-related outcomes.
- To stimulate interdisciplinary networking, collaboration, and educational initiatives.
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Spirituality
Our Mission
Our Mission: To advance the understanding of the spiritual care needs of people with cancer and to develop and implement resources to meet these needs through interdisciplinary collaboration, rigorous research, and evidence-based interventions.
- To stimulate a vibrant discussion of the elements of existential and spiritual distress in cancer patients, from the secular to the religious.
- To encourage integration of chaplains into supportive care teams, and to encourage chaplains to join APOS.
- To share information to providers about how to recognize the nuances of spiritual distress in cancer patients and how to refer to appropriate support.
Learn More About This Special Interest Group
Transplantation & Cellular Therapies
Our Mission
To provide a vibrant forum for interdisciplinary research, professional development, mentorship, networking, and advocacy for all who work with patients undergoing transplantation and cellular therapies.
Transplantation and cellular therapies are increasingly becoming standard of care for some malignant andnon-malignant disorders. The intensive nature of treatment accompanied by an extended recovery and potential medical complications result in significant psychosocial needs among patients and their caregivers.
The transplantation and cellular therapy (TCT) SIG at APOS is poised to develop and organize resources that could advance the psychosocial care and science of this vulnerable population while fostering collaboration and career development among clinicians and researchers who care for this population.
Learn More This Special Interest Group
We Welcome New SIG Members
One of the APOS member benefits is to join the conversation on Groupsite with any of the 13 Special Interest Groups (SIGs). This is a very engaging conversation platform and the Executive Office is happy to help you navigate this platform and help you set up your profile to begin networking.
We want to hear from you!
Don't see the Special Interest Group for you? Please complete this SIG proposal form if you are interested in developing one not listed above.
Please email info@apos-society.org with any questions!