IPOS News

Registration is now open for our 25th Annual World Congress – Maastricht, The Netherlands, September 24-27.

Want to save on the registration fee?

1. FIRST - Activate your membership with IPOS for 2024 BEFORE registering for the Congress. Go to https://ipos-society.org/membership/apply
2. SECOND – register BEFORE June 30 to take advantage of the Early Bird Rate. Register by going to https://www.ipos2024.org/registration/

The registration fees include:

• Admission to the scientific sessions, from September 25 to September 27, 2024
• Coffee breaks
• Lunches
• Welcome reception on Tuesday 24 September 2024
• Certificate of attendance
• 21% VAT

Note, all available IPOS Bursaries to the Congress have already been awarded.

Questions about registering? [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

As a medical oncologist at the Municipal Hospital "St. Hierarch Dr. Luca" in Onești, Romania, I provide specialized medical care to cancer patients, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and management of various types of cancer. I am also actively involved in research and academic work as a PhD student at the "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, Romania. This dual role allows me to combine clinical expertise with scientific research, thus contributing to advances in cancer treatment and academic knowledge in the field of oncology.

In the field of psycho-oncology, I recognise the profound impact that emotional and psychological well-being has on the cancer patient's journey. My involvement in the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) reflects my commitment to advancing the field, keeping up to date with the latest research and implementing evidence-based strategies to improve the quality of life of the patients I care for. I actively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and integrate psychological support into the broader spectrum of cancer care.

Outside of my professional life, I am an avid traveller and amateur photographer. Exploring different cultures and landscapes not only fuels my curiosity, but also enriches my perspective and reminds me of the resilience and beauty inherent in the human experience.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) is deeply committed to supporting our global community of psycho-oncology researchers and patients.

Reflecting this commitment, we are pleased to announce a special initiative to support the publication of psycho-oncology research from Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) through our official journal, the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice.

The Journal is inviting papers from researchers and practitioners in LMICs on topics and issues relating to psycho-oncology in low and middle income countries and regions.

The collection will be overseen by special guest editors from the IPOS LMIC Committee (Dr Chioma Asuzu and Dr Jayita Deodar) and the Journal’s editorial team, who can assist with guidance and advice as needed to support authors.

It is essential that the lead author(s) reside in an LMIC and the work described has been conducted within an LMIC as well.

Manuscripts will undergo the journal’s usual peer review process, and if accepted a full waiver of publication costs will be provided (for up to 5 manuscripts).

Submitted manuscripts may be of any article type (e.g. review, original research, case report) and we are seeking breadth and diversity across LMICs and across themes relating to research and practice in these regions.

The Journal encourages all IPOS members in LMICs to consider submitting, and we particularly encourage manuscripts that address the following themes:

• Models of service delivery
• Indigenous psychosocial interventions
• Cultural influence - on communication, interventions
• Religious/spiritual well-being 
• Training needs
• Distress assessment and management 
• Quality of life of cancer patients 
• Adjustment and coping strategies of cancer patients 
• Preventive psycho-oncology 

The deadline for submission of manuscripts is August 31, 2024.

The manuscript submission process will be through the Journal website and Editorial Manager system.

Please contact Jayita Deodhar with questions or to enquire about the suitability of your potential paper topic.

As a senior instructor and psycho-oncologist at Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan, I'm passionate about supporting patients and their families throughout their cancer journey. My role involves providing comprehensive support to patients across various oncology disciplines including medical oncology, radiation oncology, paediatric oncology, and hematologic oncology and Palliative Medicine Section. I am deeply committed to addressing the psychological and emotional needs of individuals facing cancer, helping them navigate the complexities of their diagnosis and treatment with compassion and expertise.

I have been actively involved with the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS), participating in conferences, workshops, and research collaborations aimed at advancing the field of psycho-oncology globally. My contributions to IPOS stem from a desire to enhance patient care, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and advocate for the integration of psychosocial support into oncology practice.

Away from the clinic and academic pursuits, my passion lies in the world of literature. I find solace and enrichment in the written word, both as a reader and a writer. Exploring the depths of human experience through literature not only broadens my understanding but also enriches my practice by fostering empathy and insight into the complexities of the human psyche.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

Hello everyone,

I'm Bincy Mathew, hailing from the vibrant city of Bangalore, India, and currently, working as a consultant psycho-oncologist at Manipal Hospitals. My work focused on addressing emotional issues, aiding in tobacco cessation, and navigating grief and bereavement management, primarily for adults and the geriatric community.

Apart from this, I'm deeply invested in initiatives within the realm of breast cancer, from offering pre and post-operative counseling to spearheading support groups and advocacy programs for patients, alongside survivorship initiatives.

My guiding principle is simple: no one should feel alone on their cancer journey—I'm here to lend an ear and support wherever I can.

Now, onto the fun side! When I'm not immersed in the world of psycho-oncology, you'll find me binge-watching series, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and of course, soaking up quality time with my furry friend, Skooot E Pie.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

I am Anna Bagdasaryan, I am a member of the Armenian Association of Psycho-Oncology, also I am a clinical psychologist working at the Nairi Medical Center in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia. I am the head of psychological service of the center and work in the oncology department, dealing with patients receiving pre- and post-operative medical treatment.

I worked in the past in the National Center of Oncology named after Fanarjan of the Republic of Armenia, where I also mainly dealt with cancer patients receiving pre- and postoperative chemotherapy, as well as with surgical patients. While working at this center, I worked with children receiving chemotherapy treatment, as well as with their caregivers. During the last years of my work at the National Oncology Center, I also worked in the palliative care department. Now my practical work in the department includes working both with patients and their relativess.  Currently, in addition to practical work in the oncology department, I am engaged in scientific activities. My PhD work is devoted to studying the dynamics of the quality of life of breast and gynecological cancer patients receiving various types of antitumor drug therapy. I am also currently working on a book dedicated to the stories of overcoming cancer by cancer patients and cancer survivors.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

EXTRA EXTRA! #IPOS2024 now accepting POSTER abstract submissions until April 4!

That’s right – you can still submit POSTER abstract submissions for our 25th Annual World Congress happening in Maastricht, The Netherlands, September 24-27, 2024.

Be sure to submit by no later than April 4 by going to https://insight.klinkhamergroup.com/ipos2024/login

Submission Format Abstracts
In order to be considered, an abstract must follow the following guidelines:
•Abstract titles should be brief (maximum of 30 words) and should reflect the content of the abstract.
•Commercial names may not be used in the abstract title.
•No more than 10 authors can be listed.
•Professional title, institutional affiliations, cities, and countries for each author should follow.
•Abstract text is required for poster submissions.
•Abstract text should be submitted in structured paragraph format.
•Submissions must follow either the clinical or research format and either format can present patient-oriented content.

Clinical Abstracts:
The clinical stream refers to items such as development of innovative programs or interventions/service delivery/model of care.
Length limit: 1600 characters (including spaces)
Headings:
•Background/rationale
•Methodology (needs assessment, theoretical model, description of intervention, outcome measures)
•Impact on clinical practice
•Discussion (lessons learned, future direction)

Research Abstracts:
The research stream refers to work that is primarily based on the scientific method of discovery of hypothesis testing or theory development. This stream can include work from protocols to review and studies of various design.
Length limit: 1600 characters (including spaces)
Headings:
•Objectives/purpose
•Methods
•Results
•Conclusion and clinical implications

I am a Professor of Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine as well as a Consultant Consultation Liaison & Addiction Psychiatrist. I am also a Psycho-oncologist.

I have immensely contributed to science in the area of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry and recently published a 40-Chapter textbook of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry termed “Textbook of Professor of Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine/Consultant Consultation Liaison & Addiction Psychiatrist/Psychooncologist in Medicine”, a textbook with a section on psycho-oncology. He is also a leading Nigerian Member of the International Psycho-oncology Society and a member of Psycho-oncology Society of Nigeria (POSON).

I am known for my works in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, specifically psycho-oncology, and psychiatric morbidity in chronic medical diseases. As an addiction expert, I have thoroughly explored the association between substance use disorders and cancer and have a number of publications on them.  I am also the founder of PAHMI foundation, a non-governmental initiative that focuses of the association between tobacco and alcohol use and cancer. I also established psychiatric services for patients with cancer with comorbid psychopathology at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice – the official IPOS publication

Apply by April 30, 2024!

Editor-in-Chief:
Dr Linda E. Carlson and Dr Brian Kelly 

The Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice is the official global journal of the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS). This open access journal focuses on the growing body of research in the field of psychosocial oncology. The journal publishes articles reporting on clinical research examining psychosocial and behavioral interventions in oncology settings, research on the implementation of psychosocial and behavioral interventions in routine clinical practice and their impact on outcomes. This includes reports on pragmatic clinical trials, qualitative research, systematic reviews, survivorship research and care, psychosocial oncology research and practice in developing countries, innovative research methods and research into global and regional health disparities as they relate to psychosocial oncology care and services.

Learn more about the Journal by going to https://journals.lww.com/jporp/pages/default.aspx

We are looking for seven JPORP Editorial Advisory Board members! This is open to all members of IPOS and is a two-year volunteer commitment! We would like Editorial Advisory Board members from:

1. One from Europe/UK
2. One from Latin and Central America,
3. One from Asia/Pacific
4. One from Africa
5. One from Middle East, India and Russia
6. One from Canada/USA
7. One Early Career Professional (7 or less years since final degree completed, and from anywhere in the World).

FUNCTION OF EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD:

• Advise on journal policy and scope; and editorial strategy.
• Support peer review process (eg assist Associate Editors in identifying reviewers),
• Act as ambassadors for the Journal 
• Identify topics for special issues, which they may guest edit.
• Approach potential contributors.
• Encouraging colleagues to submit manuscripts to the journal
• Provide additional opinion on papers eg where a specific area of expertise is required or where there may be differing opinions.
• Suggesting topics and authors for commissioned reviews and commentaries
• Support and promote journal initiatives (eg peer review mentoring scheme)
• A useful reference on the role of Editorial Advisory Boards can be found on : https://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines/editorial-board-participation

To apply, please apply online and have your CV in PDF or Word format ready.

Apply by going to https://funnelcom.typeform.com/to/xGTCSjuA

As a clinical psychologist, I have committed myself to providing compassionate care in the Palliative Unit at the National Center of Oncology in Yerevan for over a year. My focus lies in offering counseling and evidence-based interventions to patients and families navigating the complexities of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care.

 Beyond my clinical duties, I actively take part in the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS), engaging in professional development, research contributions, and community outreach. Being part of IPOS has not only expanded my ability but also connected me with professionals worldwide, enriching my practice and perspective.

On a lighter note, I find joy in hiking and nature photography, often incorporating dancing and singing into my outdoor adventures. When not in the clinic or involved with IPOS, you will find me exploring Armenia's picturesque landscapes, capturing moments of beauty and serenity through my camera lens while enjoying the rhythm of nature.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.