Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc

Biography

Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc, PhD, MSW, FAOSW, is a Professor and the Dr. Renato LaRocca Endowed Chair in Oncology Social Work in the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science at the University of Lousiville. Dr. BrintzenhofeSzoc (AKA Dr. B) has over 30 years of experience in social work as a clinician, researcher, educator, and mentor. Dr. BrintzenhofeSzoc uses the BioPsychoSocialSpiritualSexualCultural (BPSSSC) approach in her research, teaching, and mentoring. Her research focus is exploring the experiences that people with cancer and other chronic and life-limiting diseases, their families, and those who care for them have from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Using the BPSSSC lens allows her to address the complex needs of patients and families. As the Endowed Chair in Oncology Social Work, she coordinates the Cancer and Health Social Work Program, and she teaches one of the required courses for students who concentrate in the MSSW Cancer and Health Social Work, entitled Inequities to Equities in Healthcare. She has a long history of being either the chair or reader for PhD dissertations, DSW Capstones, and master’s theses. Her interdisciplinary, collaborative research and mentoring extends to students, faculty, social workers, healthcare providers, and social workers in the community. She has over 60 peer-reviewed publications and four book chapters, and she was the PI on a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA; T1025411) training grant.

Research Interests

Dr. BrintzenhofeSzoc's research interests are related to the experiences of the non-medical side effects from diagnosis to treatment and beyond among those affected by cancer and other chronic and life-limiting diseases, social work education, and the roles of health social workers in healthcare systems. Dr. BrintzenhofeSzoc is a co-author of a 2001 seminal study (see link below) used by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Cancer to mandate that accredited cancer programs develop and implement distress screening for all cancer patients. She continues to study distress among those with cancer as well as other chronic and life-limiting diseases, specifically, the incidence and prevalence of distress, as well as when and what interventions are offered to minimize patient distress. She is also involved in research focused on improving care for older adults with cancer and the effectiveness of social work and psycho-oncology interventions intended to minimize negative medical and psychosocial outcomes. She is particularly interested in the roles and tasks of oncology social workers in cancer care, as well as the influence of social determinants of health on outcomes and equity in healthcare. She employs qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method methodologies in her work.

The Prevalence of Psychological Distress By Cancer Site

Degrees and Certifications

Publications

All Scholarly and Creative Works