Identifying strategies to support gynaecological cancer patients and carers during COVID-19: Learning from patient-charity interactions.
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)
; 31(6): e13682, 2022 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35961918
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Supporting cancer patients during COVID-19 has posed unique challenges for health care providers. We investigated patient and carer-charity interactions to explore the role of charities and identify concerns expressed by patients. The study aims to address these concerns and learn how health care providers can support patients.METHODS:
Digital interactions on forum posts and social media were collected from four gynaecological cancer charities from March-May 2019 (before COVID-19) and 2020 (during COVID-19). Thematic analysis of forum posts and semistructured charity staff interviews investigated patient and charity-focused perspectives.RESULTS:
Thematic analysis of forum posts and charity staff interviews (n = 8) revealed three consistent themes (1) Health care changes and the effect on cancer management concerns; (2) psychological impact of lockdown isolation and anxiety of changed treatment; (3) the complexity of shielding guidance on self-risk assessment. Patients valued cancer charities' responses through digital and conventional methods (webinars, social media, forums, and websites).CONCLUSION:
Gynaecological cancer patients had concerns about the risk and impact of changed treatment plans, contacting charities as the first port of call when anxious not to burden health systems. Real-time analysis of charities' communications can be used to identify concerns and to proactively provide patient support, together with health care providers.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
COVID-19
/
Neoplasias
Tipo de estudio:
Guideline
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)
Asunto de la revista:
ENFERMAGEM
/
NEOPLASIAS
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido