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. 2021 Sep;29(9):5463-5473.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06101-3. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients, survivors, and carers in Australia: a real-time assessment of cancer support services

Rhiannon Edge  1 , Carolyn Mazariego  2   3 , Zhicheng Li  1 , Karen Canfell  1   4 , Annie Miller  5 , Bogda Koczwara  6   7 , Joanne Shaw  8 , Natalie Taylor  1   4
Affiliations

Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients, survivors, and carers in Australia: a real-time assessment of cancer support services

Rhiannon Edge et al. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Sep.

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.

Keywords: Cancer survivorship; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Supportive care.

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Conflict of interest statement

KC reports being a co-principal investigator of an unrelated investigator-initiated trial of cervical screening in Australia (Compass; ACTRN12613001207707 and NCT02328872), which is conducted and funded by the VCS Foundation (VCS), a government-funded health promotion charity. The VCS Foundation received equipment and a funding contribution from Roche Molecular Systems USA. However, neither KC nor her institution on her behalf (Cancer Council NSW) receives direct funding from industry for this trial or any other project. All other authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of included data from calls to 13 11 20 and posts on Cancer Council’s Online Community (CCOC) for content analyses
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Trends in 131120 call data and CCOC pageviews with key dates of COVID-19 restrictions in Australia. *Due to the low call volumes and online posts received before mid-March 2020, the figure represents data from mid-March 2020–May 2020 to illustrate the key trends
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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