The impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients, their carers and oncology health professionals: A qualitative study.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Ireland NLM ID: 8406280 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1873-5134 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 07383991 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Patient Educ Couns
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Limerick : Elsevier
      Original Publication: Princeton, N.J. : Excerpta Medica, c1983-
    • Subject Terms:
      COVID-19*/epidemiology ; Neoplasms*/therapy; Anxiety/psychology ; Australia/epidemiology ; Caregivers/psychology ; Humans ; Pandemics
    • Abstract:
      Objective: Cancer patients, carers and oncology health professionals have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in many ways, but their experiences and psychosocial responses to the pandemic are still being explored. This study aimed to document the experience of Australians living with cancer, family carers, and Oncology health professionals (HPs) when COVID-19 first emerged.
      Methods: In this qualitative study, participants (cancer patients currently receiving treatment, family carers and HPs) completed a semi-structured interview exploring their experiences of COVID-19 and the impact it had on cancer care. Participants also completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (patients) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (carers and HPs) to assess emotional morbidity. Thematic analysis was undertaken on qualitative data.
      Results: 32 patients, 16 carers and 29 HPs participated. Qualitative analysis yielded three shared themes: fear and death anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty. For HPs, uncertainty incorporated the potential for moral distress and work-stress. Patients and carers scoring high on anxiety/depression measures were more likely to have advanced disease, expressed greater death anxiety, talked about taking more extreme precautionary measures, and felt more impacted by isolation.
      Conclusion: Cancer and COVID-19 can have compounding psychological impacts on all those receiving or giving care.
      Practice Implications: Screening for distress in patients, and burnout in HPs, is recommended. Increased compassionate access and provision of creative alternatives to face-to-face support are warrented.
      (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
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    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: COVID; COVID-19; Cancer; Cancer patients; Coronavirus; Family members of cancer, patients; Fear and death anxiety; Isolation; Moral distress; Oncology; Oncology health professionals; Pandemic; Psycho-oncology; Uncertainty; Work, stress
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20220205 Date Completed: 20220616 Latest Revision: 20221221
    • Publication Date:
      20240628
    • Accession Number:
      PMC8801619
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.pec.2022.01.020
    • Accession Number:
      35120797