Rhiannon Edge1, Carolyn Mazariego2,3, Zhicheng Li1, Karen Canfell1,4, Annie Miller5, Bogda Koczwara6,7, Joanne Shaw8, Natalie Taylor1,4. 1. Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling Street, Sydney, NSW, 2011, Australia. 2. Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling Street, Sydney, NSW, 2011, Australia. carolynma@nswcc.org.au. 3. The University of Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. carolynma@nswcc.org.au. 4. The University of Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 5. Cancer Information & Support Services, Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, Australia. 6. Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 7. Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 8. Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on cancer patients, survivors, and carers in Australia. METHODS: Using real-time insights from two Cancer Council NSW services-131120 Information and Support Line and Online Community (CCOC) forums-we assessed service demand trends, distress levels (using the distress thermometer), and content from 131120 calls and online posts between 01 December 2019 and 31 May 2020. Emergent themes were identified through an inductive conventional content analysis with 131120 call notes, followed by a deductive directed content analysis on CCOC posts. RESULTS: In total, 688 COVID-19-related 131120 calls (n = 496) and online posts (n = 192) were analysed. Service demand peaked in March 2020 and self-reported distress peaked in May 2020 at an average of 8/10 [Mean = 7.5; SD = 0.9]. Five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: psychological distress and fear of virus susceptibility, practical issues, cancer service disruptions, information needs, and carer Issues. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 on people affected by cancer are multifaceted and likely to have long-lasting consequences. Our findings drove the development of six recommendations across three domains of support, information, and access. Cancer patients, survivors, and carers already face stressful challenges dealing with a cancer diagnosis or survivorship. The added complexity of restrictions and uncertainty associated with the pandemic may compound this. It is important that healthcare providers are equipped to provide patient-centred care during and after this crisis. Our recommendations provide points of consideration to ensure care is tailored and patient oriented.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on cancerpatients, survivors, and carers in Australia. METHODS: Using real-time insights from two Cancer Council NSW services-131120 Information and Support Line and Online Community (CCOC) forums-we assessed service demand trends, distress levels (using the distress thermometer), and content from 131120 calls and online posts between 01 December 2019 and 31 May 2020. Emergent themes were identified through an inductive conventional content analysis with 131120 call notes, followed by a deductive directed content analysis on CCOC posts. RESULTS: In total, 688 COVID-19-related 131120 calls (n = 496) and online posts (n = 192) were analysed. Service demand peaked in March 2020 and self-reported distress peaked in May 2020 at an average of 8/10 [Mean = 7.5; SD = 0.9]. Five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: psychological distress and fear of virus susceptibility, practical issues, cancer service disruptions, information needs, and carer Issues. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 on people affected by cancer are multifaceted and likely to have long-lasting consequences. Our findings drove the development of six recommendations across three domains of support, information, and access. Cancerpatients, survivors, and carers already face stressful challenges dealing with a cancer diagnosis or survivorship. The added complexity of restrictions and uncertainty associated with the pandemic may compound this. It is important that healthcare providers are equipped to provide patient-centred care during and after this crisis. Our recommendations provide points of consideration to ensure care is tailored and patient oriented.
Authors: Jörg Haier; Johannes Beller; Kristina Adorjan; Stefan Bleich; Moritz De Greck; Frank Griesinger; Alexander Hein; René Hurlemann; Sören Torge Mees; Alexandra Philipsen; Gernot Rohde; Georgia Schilling; Karolin Trautmann; Stephanie E Combs; Siegfried Geyer; Jürgen Schäfers Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2022-05-31
Authors: Anna C Singleton; Rebecca Raeside; Stephanie R Partridge; Karice K Hyun; Justin Tat-Ko; Stephanie Che Mun Sum; Molly Hayes; Clara K Chow; Aravinda Thiagalingam; Katherine Maka; Kerry A Sherman; Elisabeth Elder; Julie Redfern Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2022-04-23 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: Nienke Zomerdijk; Michelle Jongenelis; Eva Yuen; Jane Turner; Kathryn Huntley; Andrew Smith; Megan McIntosh; Camille E Short Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2021-09-09 Impact factor: 3.955
Authors: Isabelle S Smith; Rebecca Wallace; Cornelia Wellecke; Marie-Abèle Bind; Karen L Weihs; Bei Bei; Joshua F Wiley Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2022-07-27
Authors: Nienke Zomerdijk; Michelle Jongenelis; Camille E Short; Andrew Smith; Jane Turner; Kathryn Huntley Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2021-06-23 Impact factor: 3.603