St-Boniface Hospital Research

Psychosocial Oncology and Cancer Nursing Research

The Psychosocial Oncology and Cancer Nursing Research group came into being in 1992 with the assistance of a development grant from the Medical Research Council and the generous provision and development of space at the St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre. The scientists in this group are dedicated and successful researchers studying ways of enhancing the well-being of adults and children diagnosed with cancer and the individuals who serve as their caregivers along with improving the provision of cancer prevention interventions to the general public.The purpose of the Psychosocial Oncology and Cancer Nursing Research Group is to generate new knowledge and transfer existing knowledge into policy and practice to reduce the burden of cancer.

The scientists in this group are dedicated and successful researchers studying ways of enhancing the well-being of adults and children diagnosed with cancer, and the individuals who serve as their caregivers. Dr. Lesley Degner is known internationally as an expert in fostering patient involvement in decisions about their treatment and care, and has extensively researched the areas of patient information needs, and symptom management of lung cancer patients. Dr. Tom Hack, a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal, is committed to enhancing the coping and adjustment effort of cancer patients, and strengthening communication between cancer patients and health professionals. Dr. Roberta Woodgate, a Dorothy J. Lamont Scholar, has dedicated her career to addressing the illness needs of children and adolescents with cancer, and ways to enhance health promotion among the young. Dr. Michelle Lobchuk, a research scientist with the National Cancer Institute of Canada, is an accomplished scholar who is developing theories and interventions to better explain and assist caregivers who are tending to the needs of cancer patients. Dr. Susan McClement, an award-winning teacher, has research projects in the areas of ethics and end-of-life, the nutritional needs of late-stage cancer patients, and the psychosocial needs of dying patients.