Cancer treatment as a place: ecofeminism as a social work framework

Abstract

This paper is a reflection of my field practicum at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre from May11, 2015 to August 11, 2015. It explores ecofeminism as a guiding clinical framework with people who are receiving cancer treatment. A literature review highlights ecofeminism, oncology social work, ecosocialwork, ecopsychology, people as place, nature and ecology, and spirituality. It also provides a description of my learning goals, practice objectives, learning activities, a description of the practicum setting, the integration of theory and practice, challenges, ethics, and implications for future social work practice. This paper identifies the support for ecofeminism as an expanded framework for social work, with the potential to inform clinical practice in health care settings and influence the future of ecological social work theory and practice.