Online information related to childhood cancer and COVID-19 pandemic: a thematic analysis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze online information available on the internet about COVID-19 and childhood cancer and discuss its reach potential with regard to supporting family functioning. Method: Documentary research supported by thematic analysis and the concept of family functioning and support. A total of 27 publications available on the websites of reference institutions in pediatric oncology, from March 1 to May 31, 2020, were analyzed. Results: Two themes guided the presentation of results with emphasis on language and sustainability assumptions to content, and to conveyed meanings and intentionality. The publications prospect families/people with basic knowledge about COVID-19 and have little information specific to the relationship with childhood cancer. Final considerations: Threatening circumstances require informational support. This study revealed incipient of specificity and a prescriptive tone in the online information available in early times of the pandemic, questioning the scope of support for family functioning.

Cuidado de crianças e adolescentes em tratamento oncológico na pandemia da COVID-19: experiência de familiares

“…Outra questão relevante é que, apesar do risco menor de infecção e formas graves da COVID-19 entre crianças e adolescentes, observou-se maior preocupação no contexto do câncer infantojuvenil, expressa em recomendações que destacavam a importância de orientações sobre as mudanças no processo de tratamento e os potenciais riscos para esta população, as quais deveriam ser disponibilizadas de forma clara e apropriada, considerando a idade e a informação solicitada por eles 16 . Tal cuidado se deve ao fato de que os familiares e pacientes buscam na internet, informações relacionadas às condições de saúde e diagnósticos de câncer e COVID-19, na intenção de respostas às suas dúvidas e inseguranças, porém, a qualidade e fonte da informação podem refletir no aumento das preocupações e consequentemente nos cuidados oferecidos a esses pacientes 17 . Dessa forma, o aumento no nível de estresse e os sentimentos de medo, ansiedade e insegurança são compreensíveis diante das mudanças abruptas que crianças e adolescentes foram expostos com a pandemia e, por isso, a importância de orientações ao pais e familiares sobre cuidados que busquem minimizar os efeitos dessas angústias e sofrimentos manifestados pelos filhos, os quais que podem se expressar em comportamentos anormais, desconfortos, preocupações, distúrbios do sono, perda de apetite, entre outros 2 .…”

An Evaluation of the Quality of COVID-19 Internet Resources for Cancer Patients

“…to help patients navigate Internet resources and find reliable, high-quality websites to access educational materials. To our knowledge, there has been only one study to date regarding COVID-19 and cancer resources, which was specific to childhood cancer and focused on thematic analysis and the concept of family functioning and support rather than quality analysis of the educational content [ 7 ]. Our study used a validated structured rating tool [ 9 ] to evaluate all relevant COVID-19 and cancer websites that patients may likely encounter.…”

“…The Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool is a checklist for criteria including quality of written work, design, and coherence; the DISCERN tool is used to evaluate quality of information for treatment choices; and the JAMA benchmark evaluates credibility of Internet resources in authorship, attribution, disclosure, and recency of updates. Only a few websites were classified as “high-scoring” in each index [ 7 ]. Another study by Jayasinghe et al analyzed quality of information in websites about COVID-19 targeted for the general public.…”

“…This study identified variable quality of Internet resources through searching 12 search terms via one search engine; however, it did not assess COVID-19 topics other than prevention and treatment (such as symptoms, vaccines, prognosis) and was not specific to cancer patients and their unique concerns [ 6 ]. A Brazilian thematic analysis discussed the impact of COVID-19 and childhood cancer online information on family functioning and found that there was little information specific to the relationship of COVID-19 with childhood cancer [ 7 ]. This study used only Google as a search engine, was specific to information on childhood cancer, and concentrated on language and family functioning rather than quality of online educational resources.…”