Cancer and <scp>COVID</scp>‐19: Patients' and psychologists' reflections regarding psycho‐oncology service changes

Millar, Chris; Campbell, Sophie; Fisher, Peter; Hutton, Jane; Morgan, Andrew; Cherry, Mary Gemma

doi:10.1002/pon.5461

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…In general, patients under chemotherapy prefer consultation in the hospital due to the direct communication with their physician and the opportunity for additional tests (MRI, EEG, lab tests). However, recent reports show that Telemedicine and video‐consultation during COVID‐19 regarding both medical and psychosocial support are feasible and appreciated by a considerable proportion of the patients 9,30 . Therefore, both consultation and psychosocial assessment should be adapted in this particular situation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neuro‐oncological patients' and caregivers' psychosocial burden during the COVID‐19 pandemic—A prospective study with qualitative content analysis

et al. 2021

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Objective The COVID‐19 pandemic may reinforce psychosocial distress of neuro‐oncological patients. We aimed to (1) differentiate the burden caused by the pandemic versus the tumor and (2) establish topics relevant for brain tumor patients (BTPs) and caregivers. Methods Patients and caregivers were prospectively assessed from April 2020–July 2020 by a 10‐item comprising interview over the phone, including qualitative and quantitative questions. They were quantitatively evaluated i.a. by the distress thermometer (DT, score 1–10). The qualitative questions were analyzed using structured content analysis: The interview questions defined the main categories. Subcategories were derived by an inductive approach assessing the frequency of patients' and caregivers' answers. Results A total of 69 patients and 20 caregivers were interviewed; n = 36 were female (49%), mean age was 53 years (range 32–81). Patients' disease‐related DT scores were higher than the COVID‐19‐related DT scores: the median of the disease‐related DT score was 7 (range 2–10) versus median of COVID‐19‐related distress: 5.0 (range 2–7). Caregivers perceived a higher burden due to the disease (DT median disease: 8; range 2–10 vs. DT pandemic: 3, range 0–10). A total of five main and 21 subcategories were elaborated, most frequently mentioned were “restrictions in public and private affairs” (28%), “changes in the psychological well‐being” (23%), “limited social interaction by contact restriction” (25%). Subcategories relevant for caregivers were similar to those of BTPs. Conclusion A considerable proportion of patients and caregivers still perceived the brain tumor disease as more burdensome than the pandemic. We established main and subcategories of interview items possibly of great relevance to patients during these difficult times, which could be implemented in the content‐related adaption of the psychosocial assessment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Millar et al. report in their letter that psychologists and patients perceived remote clinical supervision and support as being helpful when complying with isolation 9 . The physician‐patient and physician‐relative interaction may be shorter and less intense due to telephone and video consultations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuro‐oncological patients' and caregivers' psychosocial burden during the COVID‐19 pandemic—A prospective study with qualitative content analysis

et al. 2021

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“…Many studies reported the use of telehealth through videoconferencing, telephone, email, mobile phone apps and text message as a means to monitor and counsel patients. 3 , 7 - 8 , 11 - 12 , 15 - 19 , 20 - 22 , 24 , 29 , 30 , 33 - 37 , 39 - 41 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 - 65 , 78 This included screening, symptom checking and side effect monitoring and outpatient care. 8 , 22 , 29 , 39 , 45 , 52 - 54 These modalities of communication were significant in enabling better evaluation and follow-up of patients, as well as facilitating patient triaging and contact tracing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 64 Conversely, patients also reported feeling psychologically distant with the doctor as there was reduced non-verbal communication and felt that there was less time for reflection following their call. 64 , 65 , 78 A Canadian cancer center tried to mitigate this through running a trial to provide patients with daily, self-subscribed supportive text messages for extra psychological support. 11 In light of this, healthcare providers must be astute of the risks posed on the weakened doctor-patient interactions which could have significant impacts on patients’ quality of life, 66 , 67 Consequently, the psychological impacts of drastic transitioning to tele-oncology should not be overlooked, especially within oncology where adjunctive emotional and holistic care is crucial.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This large-scale surveillance system was informative for high-risk patients as they could make the decision to shield themselves if residing in a high-risk area. 43 The benefits of tracking were also evident in a study conducted by Ning et al who reported that active tracking reduced adverse effects that can occur from treatment delay and workforce incapacitation 46 (2) Outreach and Communication One of the most prominent strategies to ensure the maintenance of care continuity was regular communication between 77 P Brody et al 38 P P Butler et al 19 P P P P P P Casella et al 11 P P P P P P Chiang et al 14 P P P P P P Cinelli et al 53 P P Civantos et al 9 P P Civantos et al 49 P P P Collins et al 17 P P P P Curigliano et al 55 P P P Czernin et al 36 P P P P P de Marinis et al 39 P P P P Dharmarajan et al 51 P Elkaddoum et al 59 P P P Elkin et al 31 P Flannigan et al 57 P P Fosker 26 P P Frey et al 66 P Giuliani et al 58 P Gupta et al 48 P P P Grenda et al 54 P P Guven et al 12 P P P P Harky et al 61 P P P Indini et al 33 P P P P P P Jiang et al 60 P P Lee et al 15 P P P P P Lee et al 27 P P Lee et al 47 P P P Lobascio et al 56 P P Lombe et al 68 P P P Mei et al 21 P P P P P P Mendoza et al 23 P P P Millar et al 65 P Mirnezami et al 73 P P Morrison et al 69 P P Moss et al 32 P Mulvey et al 62 P...…”

Section: Covid-19 Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effects of COVID-19 on Cancer Care Provision: A Systematic Review

et al. 2021

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This systematic review aims to gather primary data from cancer institutions that have implemented changes to cancer service provision amid the COVID-19 outbreak to inform future intervention and health care facility response strategies. A comprehensive literature search was done on Global Health Medline and EMBASE using pertinent key words and MeSH terms relating to COVID-19 and Cancer service provision. A total of 72 articles were selected for inclusion in this systematic review. Following the narrative synthesis that was conducted of the literature, 6 core themes that encompassed common cancer service intervention adopted by institutions were identified: (1) Testing and Tracking, (2) Outreach and Communication, (3) Protection, (4) Social Distancing (5) Treatment Management, (6) Service Restructuring. Since cancer patients are a high-risk population amid the COVID-19 pandemic, these areas of targeted intervention can be used to inform necessary actions in institutions facing similar risks, based on previous learning from numerous cancer centers globally.

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COVID‐19 and patients with cancer: Investigating treatment impact, information sources, and COVID‐19–related knowledge, attitudes, and practices

Ugas

Samoil

Avery

et al. 2021

Cancer

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BACKGROUND:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused enormous strain on public health. Patients with cancer are particularly susceptible to the disease, and their treatment plans have been threatened by public health restrictions designed to contain the spread. METHODS: This study examined the effects of the pandemic on cancer patients' psychology, knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning COVID-19 as well as their perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on their cancer health care services. A survey was sent to 5800 patients at a cancer center in Toronto, Canada. Descriptive results were summarized. Qualitative feedback was coded and summarized. To examine for potential associations, regression models were tested for the outcomes of patient psychological well-being, knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and they accounted for several demographic, health literacy, and disease variables. RESULTS: A total of 1631 surveys were completed. Most patients saw their appointments shifted to virtual visits, and for a substantial minority, there was no change. A majority of the patients (62%) expressed fears about contracting the virus. There were no independent predictors of COVID-19-related knowledge. Fears were more pronounced among patients who did not speak English and those who used social media more often. Female participants, those who scored higher on knowledge questions, and those who used cancer center materials were more likely to take preventative measures against infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a snapshot of the state of cancer patient treatment and the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients between the first 2 waves of the pandemic. The study's results can inform our understanding of adaptation to conditions during and after the outbreak.

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Cancer and COVID‐19: Patients' and psychologists' reflections regarding psycho‐oncology service changes

Cited by 14 publications

References 5 publications

Neuro‐oncological patients' and caregivers' psychosocial burden during the COVID‐19 pandemic—A prospective study with qualitative content analysis

Neuro‐oncological patients' and caregivers' psychosocial burden during the COVID‐19 pandemic—A prospective study with qualitative content analysis

The Effects of COVID-19 on Cancer Care Provision: A Systematic Review

COVID‐19 and patients with cancer: Investigating treatment impact, information sources, and COVID‐19–related knowledge, attitudes, and practices

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