IPOS News

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.

Interested in advertising with IPOS? Click here to learn more.

We are looking for volunteer members for our Special Interest Group: Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee.

If you are a current member of IPOS and want to get involved, we have a wonderful opportunity for you. Consider becoming a member of our Special Interest Group: Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee. Our goal is to have a group with members with broad experiences and perspectives who are passionate about connecting with psycho-oncology professionals world-wide. 

If you are a member of IPOS and are early in your psycho-oncology career, joining this committee is a great option!

The co-chairs:

• Amanda Balakirsky – USA
• Tihana Gašpert– Croatia

Please email Amanda ([email protected]) and Tihana ([email protected]) with your name, country, CV and a brief blurb about why you are interested in volunteering with the Special Interest Group: Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee.

Please submit by March 29, 2024.

I am originally from Malaysia, received my B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin in the United States, and my PhD from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. I have been a member of IPOS since the IPOS World Congress in Banff in 2019 and have attended every world congress since! I am also one of the founding members of the IPOS Survivorship SIG and can highly recommend joining this active group of lovely people under the excellent leadership of Dr Michael Jefford and Dr Christina Signorelli. I do registry-based epidemiological research, survey-based research and intervention trials, and have a special interest in the psychosocial aspects of cancer caregiving and of living long-term with incurable cancer. Other areas of my research include grief and bereavement, patient and public involvement in research, and stress and coping. I enjoy international collaboration, so feel free to reach out!

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 Rita Daher, a senior psychology student at the Lebanese American University in Lebanon. My journey in psychology has been enriched through practical experiences, particularly at an NGO where I provided hands-on support to intellectually and physically disabled adults and elderly individuals navigating various psychological, social, and physical challenges. Complementing my academic endeavors, I was enrolled in Music Therapy training to further expand my expertise in the psychology field. Currently, I am exploring the captivating realm of academia, with a focus on a psycho-oncology course. This course delves into the psychological, social, and physical barriers faced by cancer patients, the coping dynamics of families, and the diverse interventions both pharmacological and non-pharmacological required. It also highlights the crucial role of the medical team and emphasizes the significance of effective communication between physicians and patients. Inspired by my studies, I have also joined the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) to explore the intersection of psychology and oncology. Furthermore, I am enrolled in the CITI program that serves online courses in ethics, research, regulatory compliance, and responsible conduct of research. Outside of academia, I find solace in creative writing poetry, and drawing as a powerful means of self-expression.

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 a psychologist and got a Master of Science in psychology at Irkutsk State University of Russian Federation. I have worked as a psychologist at National Cancer Center of Mongolia from 2006 to 2020. I am one of the first pioneers in developing psychosocial care services in Mongolia. Currently, I am working as a lecturer at MNUMS. But I am interested in raising awareness of the population about psycho-oncology, building comprehensive and multidisciplinary health care for people with cancer, and integrating psychosocial care into routine cancer care in LMICs with limited resources. Since 2018 I have joined  the IPOS network. I desire to learn and collaborate with experts from all nations over the world to develop mental health care for people living with cancer. 

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.