Use of Crisis Intervention in Casework with the Cancer Patient and His Family.

Cancer, an emotionally charged Illness, can be expected to precipitate a state of crisis for most patients and their families. An understanding of crisis theory and the phenomena that occur during a state of crisis are baste to the social worker's approach to the problems the cancer patient presents. The techniques for Intervention and change are focused on (1) helping the patient or family develop conscious awareness of their problem, (2) assessing their total situation, and (3) enabling them to make a new use of their existing ego-adaptive techniques or to develop new and more effective mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]