Psychosocial Oncology: What to Expect When Caring for an Oncology Patient
- Continuing Education
Deliver a comprehensive two-day, Harvard-accredited virtual conference that equips clinicians with essential skills in psychosocial oncology, from managing cancer-related mental health conditions to addressing substance use, bereavement, and supportive care needs across diverse patient populations.
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Overview
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will be offering its second annual virtual conference accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course, which has been expanded to two days based on audience feedback, will focus on the psychosocial care of patients living with cancer. With 1 out of 3 people diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life, there is an increasing need for cancer-related training among health care professionals.
On conference day one, psychosocial oncology experts will discuss and review the impact of cancer on the mental health of patients, caregivers, and families throughout the trajectory of cancer care starting at diagnosis, through treatment, and survivorship. Health care providers will learn about the diagnosis and management of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and demoralization, as well as opportunities for interventions to improve quality of life and coping. Day two will feature expert discussion of substance use disorders, the role of psychedelics and cannabis in oncology care, and deeper exploration of navigating challenging patient interactions, bereavement, support groups, and the care of young adults and pediatric populations.
All clinicians interested in learning more about the care of individuals living with cancer are encouraged to attend, including psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, and primary care providers.
Learning Objectives
- Identify psychosocial stressors faced by patients living with cancer.
- Recognize skills in managing the psychosocial needs of these patients.
- Increase the number of psychosocial providers in the community who are able to provide care for patients living with cancer.
Developed and Offered By:
Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Who Should Participate
Primary Care Physicians, Physician Assistants, Specialty, Social workers, Psychiatrists Physicians, Psychologists, and Others
Schedule
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Approaching Cancer Care for the Whole Patient
9:00-10:00 am
Overview of Cancer Treatment and Treatment Side Effects
10:00-11:00 am
Adjustment to Illness
11:00-11:30 am
Couples and Families
11:30 am-12:00 pm
Morning Q&A
12:00-12:30 pm
Lunch
12:30-1:30 pm
Anxiety
1:30-2:30 pm
Depression
2:30-3:30 pm
Survivorship
3:30-4:00 pm
Spiritual Care (Moderated Discussion)
4:00-4:30 pm
Afternoon Q&A
4:30-5:00 pm
Closing Remarks
5:00-5:10 pm
Friday, May 1, 2026
Welcome and opening remarks
8:45-9:00 am
Psychedelics
9:00-10:00 am
Substance use/misuse
10:00-11:00 am
Cannabis
11:00-11:30 am
Navigating Challenging Patients
11:30 am-12:00 pm
Morning Q&A
12:00-12:30 pm
Lunch
12:30-1:30 pm
Bereavement
1:30-2:30 pm
Facilitating Cancer Support Groups
2:30-3:00 pm
Existential Distress and End of Life Issues
3:00-3:30 pm
Pediatric Psychosocial Care (Moderated Discussion)
3:30-4:00 pm
Care of Young Adults
4:00-4:40 pm
Afternoon Q&A
4:40-5:10 pm
Closing Remarks
5:10-5:20 pm
Faculty
Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.
Course Directors
Damien Miran
Course Director
Cristina Pozo-Kaderman
Course Director
Courtney Bitz
Ilana Braun
Stephen Conway
Joan Hanania
Tricia Hughes
Michelle Jacobo
Eileen Joyce
Kate Lally
Leora Lowenthal
Amanda Moment
Sue Morris
Anna Muriel
John Peteet
Roxanne Sholevar
Timothy Steinhoff
Stephanie Tung
Carrie Wu
Miryam Yusufov
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Course Fees
Fee Disclaimer
You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Prices include CME credit, electronic syllabus. At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
| Role | Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Physician (MD/DO) | $500.00 |
| Nurse (RN/APRN) | $300.00 |
| PA | $300.00 |
| Psychologist | $300.00 |
| Resident/Fellow | $150.00 |
| Social Worker | $250.00 |
| Allied Health Professional / Other | $250.00 |
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this for a maximum of 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Harvard Medical School is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 14.75 continuing education credits.