Sophia Smith

Overview:

Dr. Sophia Smith is an Associate Professor with Tenure at the Duke School of Nursing and earned her PhD and MSW degrees at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Her research explores ways to improve the quality of cancer care including post-treatment survivorship and palliative care with a primary focus on leveraging technology in delivering behavioral health interventions to the community. She is leading efforts to integrate clinical cancer care and research in building the scientific evidence that informs evidence-based practice through her current and past membership on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Survivorship Guidelines Panel and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Survivorship Committee. Dr. Smith’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, NCCN, and Pfizer Grants for Independent Learning and Change.

Positions:

Associate Professor in the School of Nursing

School of Nursing
School of Nursing

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute

Duke Cancer Institute
School of Medicine

Member in the Duke Clinical Research Institute

Duke Clinical Research Institute
School of Medicine

Education:

M.S.W. 2001

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Ph.D. 2007

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Grants:

Symptom Burden and Quality of Life in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Administered By
School of Nursing
Awarded By
American Cancer Society, Inc.
Role
Principal Investigator
Start Date
End Date

Pillars4Life: An Online Self-Management Curriculum for Cancer Survivors

Administered By
School of Nursing
Awarded By
Pfizer, Inc.
Role
Principal Investigator
Start Date
End Date

Advanced symptom burden and quality of life in multiple myeloma patients

Administered By
School of Nursing
Awarded By
National Institutes of Health
Role
Principal Investigator
Start Date
End Date

Advanced symptom burden and quality of life in multiple myeloma patients

Administered By
School of Nursing
Awarded By
National Institutes of Health
Role
Principal Investigator
Start Date
End Date

Promoting Effective Self-Management of Chronic Pain with mHealth Neurofeedback

Administered By
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences
Awarded By
National Institutes of Health
Role
Co Investigator
Start Date
End Date

Publications:

Mobile cognitive behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress: Diving back in after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Authors
Mitchell, H-R; Smith, SK; Gebert, R; Applebaum, AJ
MLA Citation
Mitchell, Hannah-Rose, et al. “Mobile cognitive behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress: Diving back in after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.Psycho Oncology, vol. 31, no. 10, Oct. 2022, pp. 1802–05. Epmc, doi:10.1002/pon.6022.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1535254
PMID
36050923
Source
epmc
Published In
Psycho Oncology
Volume
31
Published Date
Start Page
1802
End Page
1805
DOI
10.1002/pon.6022

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Survivorship, Version 1.2022.

The NCCN Guidelines for Survivorship are intended to help healthcare professionals who work with survivors to ensure that the survivors' complex and varied needs are addressed. The NCCN Guidelines provide screening, evaluation, and treatment recommendations for the consequences of adult-onset cancer and its treatment; recommendations to help promote physical activity, weight management, and immunizations in survivors; and a framework for care coordination. This article summarizes updates to the NCCN Guidelines pertaining to preventive health for cancer survivors, including recommendations about alcohol consumption and vaccinations.
Authors
Sanft, T; Day, A; Peterson, L; Rodriguez, MA; Ansbaugh, S; Armenian, S; Baker, KS; Ballinger, T; Broderick, G; Demark-Wahnefried, W; Dickinson, K; Fairman, NP; Friedman, DL; Goldman, M; Henry, NL; Hill-Kayser, C; Hudson, M; Khakpour, N; Koura, D; McDonough, AL; Melisko, M; Mooney, K; Moore, HCF; Moryl, N; Neuman, H; O'Connor, T; Overholser, L; Paskett, ED; Patel, C; Pirl, W; Porpiglia, A; Ruddy, KJ; Schapira, L; Shockney, L; Smith, S; Syrjala, KL; Tevaarwerk, A; Yang, EH; Zee, P; McMillian, NR; Freedman-Cass, DA
MLA Citation
Sanft, Tara, et al. “NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Survivorship, Version 1.2022.Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : Jnccn, vol. 20, no. 10, Oct. 2022, pp. 1080–90. Epmc, doi:10.6004/jnccn.2022.0052.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1554116
PMID
36240847
Source
epmc
Published In
Jnccn Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Volume
20
Published Date
Start Page
1080
End Page
1090
DOI
10.6004/jnccn.2022.0052

Exploring the relationship between social support and mental health status among lymphoma survivors: Does patient-centered communication really matter? A brief report.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether patient-centered communication (PCC) would partially mediate the relationship between social support and mental health status among adult survivors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). <b>Methods</b>: Secondary analysis of self-administered questionnaires mailed to 682 adults with NHL who were assumed living and had completed the baseline 2005 study (83% response rate). Adult NHL survivors (<i>n</i> = 566) and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Sobel test. <b>Results</b>: PCC partially mediated the relationship between social support and three measures of mental health outcomes (SF-36 Mental Component Summary [SF36-MCS], Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version [PCL-C], Impact of Cancer - Negative Impact Summary [IOCv2 NIS]). Results of the conservative Sobel test were significant (<i>p</i> < .01) in three mediation models. <b>Conclusions</b>: Future research should focus on testing interventions that target PCC and identifying additional mediators and moderators between social support and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors.
Authors
Caviness-Ashe, N; Zimmerman, S; Chappel-Aiken, L; Onsomu, EO; Bryant, AL; Smith, SK
MLA Citation
Caviness-Ashe, Nicole, et al. “Exploring the relationship between social support and mental health status among lymphoma survivors: Does patient-centered communication really matter? A brief report.Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, vol. 41, no. 2, Jan. 2023, pp. 235–41. Epmc, doi:10.1080/07347332.2022.2072792.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1524368
PMID
36815246
Source
epmc
Published In
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
Volume
41
Published Date
Start Page
235
End Page
241
DOI
10.1080/07347332.2022.2072792

Exploring Nurse and Patient Experiences of Developing Rapport During Oncology Ambulatory Care Videoconferencing Visits: Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: Although videoconferencing between oncology patients and nurses became routine during the pandemic, little is known about the development of clinician-patient rapport in this care environment. Evidence that virtual visits may challenge nurses' ability to form connections with patients, demonstrate empathy, and provide support suggests that videoconferencing may not ensure optimal care for persons with cancer. Establishing rapport during videoconferencing visits (VCVs) is important in oncology nursing, as rapport enables the nurse to provide emotional support and assistance to patients as they navigate their cancer journey. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the nature of nurse-patient rapport in ambulatory cancer care videoconferencing telehealth visits. Objectives included exploring (1) how patients with cancer and nurses describe experiences of and strategies for cultivating rapport and (2) similarities and differences between rapport in videoconferencing and in-person visits (IPVs). METHODS: In this qualitative descriptive study, interviews were conducted from October 2021 to March 2022 with 22 participants, including patients with cancer (n=10, 45%) and oncology nurses (n=12, 55%), about their experiences of rapport building during VCVs. All interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Data from nurses and patients were analyzed separately using identical procedures, with a comparative analysis of patient and nurse results performed in the final analysis. RESULTS: Most patients in the study had experienced 3-5 video visits within the past 12 months (n=7, 70%). Half of the nurse participants (n=6, 50%) reported having participated in over 100 VCVs, and all had experiences with videoconferencing (ranging from 3 to 960 visits) over the past 12 months. In total, 3 themes and 6 categories were derived from the patient data, and 4 themes and 13 categories were derived from the nurse data. Comparisons of themes derived from participant interviews identified similarities in how nurses and patients described experiences of rapport during VCVs. Three themes fit the collective data: (1) person-centered and relationship-based care is valued and foundational to nurse-patient rapport in oncology ambulatory care regardless of how care is delivered, (2) adapting a bedside manner to facilitate rapport during VCVs is feasible, and (3) nurses and patients can work together to create person-centered options across the care trajectory to ensure quality care outcomes. Barriers to relationship building in VCVs included unexpected interruptions from others, breaks in the internet connection, concerns about privacy, and limitations associated with not being physically present. CONCLUSIONS: Person-centered and relationship-based approaches can be adapted to support nurse-patient rapport in VCVs, including forming a personal connection with the patient and using active listening techniques. Balancing the challenges and limitations with the benefits of videoconferencing is an essential competency requiring additional research and guidelines. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/27940.
Authors
Koppel, PD; De Gagne, JC; Docherty, S; Smith, S; Prose, NS; Jabaley, T
MLA Citation
Koppel, Paula D., et al. “Exploring Nurse and Patient Experiences of Developing Rapport During Oncology Ambulatory Care Videoconferencing Visits: Qualitative Descriptive Study.J Med Internet Res, vol. 24, no. 9, Sept. 2022, p. e39920. Pubmed, doi:10.2196/39920.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1532021
PMID
36074558
Source
pubmed
Published In
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Volume
24
Published Date
Start Page
e39920
DOI
10.2196/39920

Relationships among uncertainty, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and quality of life in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer survivors.

<h4>Purpose</h4>The aim of this study was to examine relationships among uncertainty, PTSD symptoms (PTSS), and quality of life (QOL) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) survivors.<h4>Methods</h4>Eligible NMIBC survivors were identified through the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, and 398 survivors participated in a mailed survey that measured survivor's outcomes (uncertainty, PTSS, and QOL). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the mediating effect of uncertainty and PTSS on the association between personal characteristics and QOL in NMIBC survivors.<h4>Results</h4>NMIBC survivors experienced cancer-related uncertainty; higher uncertainty was associated with male, lower income, lack of cure, and lower cognition-ability. Uncertainty was significantly and negatively associated with QOL. In addition, PTSS completely mediated the effect of uncertainty on QOL, and higher PTSS had a strong association with poorer QOL. Additionally, comorbidities, cognition-general concerns, uncertainty, and PTSS had strong negative effects on QOL.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study has identified modifiable psychosocial factors which affect QOL in NMIBC survivors. The study findings can be used in the development of interventions to improve QOL for NMIBC survivors.
Authors
Jung, A; Crandell, JL; Nielsen, ME; Smith, SK; Bryant, AL; Mayer, DK
MLA Citation
Jung, Ahrang, et al. “Relationships among uncertainty, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and quality of life in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer survivors.Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, vol. 30, no. 7, July 2022, pp. 6175–85. Epmc, doi:10.1007/s00520-022-07034-1.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1518167
PMID
35437672
Source
epmc
Published In
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Volume
30
Published Date
Start Page
6175
End Page
6185
DOI
10.1007/s00520-022-07034-1

Research Areas:

Cancer
Cancer Survivors
Cancer--Patients
Palliative Care
Palliative treatment
Social Work
Technology--Information services
Telemedicine