Examining the association among fear of COVID‐19, psychological distress, and delays in cancer care

Caston, Nicole E.; Lawhon, Valerie; Smith, Karen L.; Gallagher, Kathleen D.; Angove, Rebekah; Anderson, Eric; Balch, Alan; Azuero, Andres; Hung, Chao-Hui Sylvia; Rocque, Gabrielle Betty

doi:10.1002/cam4.4391

Cited by 43 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Only about one-quarter of survey respondents reported coping very well during the pandemic with worse coping across several sociodemographic groups. Several other studies assessed the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients, such as fear and social isolation, but not overall coping ( 4 , 8 , 10 , 42 ). For example, Lou and colleagues’ ( 4 ) cross-sectional survey found significantly higher levels of concern about contracting COVID-19, serious illness, and not being able to get needed healthcare (for COVID-19 or other serious illness) among respondents with cancer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patients’ Experiences with Cancer Care: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Treiman

Kranzler

Moultrie

et al. 2022

Journal of Patient Experience

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the psychosocial impact of a cancer diagnosis as patients face concerns about the risk of infection and serious disease and uncertainties about the impact on their treatment. We conducted an online survey (n = 317) and focus groups (n = 19) with patients to examine their experiences with cancer care during the pandemic. Most survey respondents (68%) reported one or more disruptions or delays in care, including appointments switched to telehealth (49%). Patients perceived both benefits (e.g., convenience) and drawbacks (e.g., more impersonal) to telehealth. For many patients, COVID-19-related restrictions on bringing family members to support them during appointments was a major concern and left them feeling alone and vulnerable during treatment. Patients’ self-reported coping during the pandemic was positively associated with age, education, and income ( P < .05 for each) and better communication with their doctors during telehealth sessions ( P < .001). Study findings highlight the importance of patient-centered care and communication to help patients cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Further research is needed to develop guidelines for use of telehealth as part of patient-centered cancer care.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patients’ Experiences with Cancer Care: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Treiman

Kranzler

Moultrie

et al. 2022

Journal of Patient Experience

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Telemedicine can also facilitate remote symptom management, chemotherapeutic supervision, palliative care, and psychological support [4][5][6]. As the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic spread across the globe, patients with cancer suffered compromised care, including delays in treatment, cancer screening tests [7], and referrals to specialists [8], because of concerns about treatment-related complications and facility-based exposure to COVID-19 [9,10]. To circumvent the crisis, telemedicine use was recommended to limit the risk of facility-based viral transmission, protect patients with chronic diseases who require ongoing medical treatment, and conserve personal protective equipment [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of telemedicine adoption among financially distressed patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a nationwide study

Hassan

Chu

et al. 2022

Support Care Cancer

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic among financially distressed patients with cancer, with respect to the determinants of adoption and patterns of utilization, has yet to be delineated. We sought to systematically characterize telemedicine utilization in financially distressed patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nationwide survey data assessing telemedicine use in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic collected by Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) in December 2020. Patients were characterized as financially distressed by self-reporting limited financial resources to manage out-of-pocket costs, psychological distress, and/or adaptive coping behaviors. Primary study outcome was telemedicine utilization during the pandemic. Secondary outcomes were telemedicine utilization volume and modality preferences. Multivariable and Poisson regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with telemedicine use. Results A convenience sample of 627 patients with cancer responded to the PAF survey. Telemedicine adoption during the pandemic was reported by 67% of patients, with most (63%) preferring video visits. Younger age (19-35 age compared to ≥ 75 age) (OR, 6.07; 95% CI, 1.47-25.1) and more comorbidities (≥ 3 comorbidities compared to cancer only) (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.13-2.65) were factors associated with telemedicine adoption. Younger age (19-35 years) (incidence rate ratios [IRR], 1.78; 95% CI, 24-115%) and higher comorbidities (≥ 3) (IRR; 1.36; 95% CI, 20-55%) were factors associated with higher utilization volume. As area deprivation index increased by 10 units, the number of visits decreased by 3% (IRR 1.03, 95% CI, 1.03-1.05). Conclusions The rapid adoption of telemedicine may exacerbate existing inequities, particularly among vulnerable financially distressed patients with cancer. Policy-level interventions are needed for the equitable and efficient provision of this service.

show abstract

“…Recent studies indicate that people with low SES tend to have more fear of COVID‐19, 12 and that an elevated fear of COVID‐19 is linked to delays in care among patients with cancer. 13 The decline of people with low SES in our outpatient center may therefore also be associated with a decline in cancer screening and diagnosis in this population. This would also suggest that people with low SES are underutilizing health services during the pandemic compared to people with high SES.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The impact of COVID‐19 on cancer care of outpatients with low socioeconomic status

Lubowitzki

Unseld

Schneckenreiter

et al. 2022

Intl Journal of Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) are among the most underserved groups of people regarding cancer care. Analyzing the impact of the coronavirus‐induced disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on health care disparities and calling attention to inequalities in cancer care is crucial to justify and initiate adequate countermeasures. We aimed to determine whether the COVID‐19 pandemic aggravated health care disparities of cancer outpatients related to their SES and analyzed patient data of the largest university center providing services for patients with hematologic and oncologic disorders in Austria from 2018 to 2021. SES was assessed using three indicators: monthly net household income, level of education and occupational prestige. In total, 1217 cancer outpatients (51.1% female) with a mean age of 59.4 years (SD = 14.2) participated. In the first year of the pandemic, the relative proportion of individuals with low income, low education level and low occupational prestige seeking cancer care at our outpatient center decreased significantly (P ≤ .015). The strongest indicator was income, with a consistent effect throughout the first pandemic year. Countermeasures and specific interventions to support cancer patients with low SES in their access to health care should be initiated and prioritized.

show abstract

Examining the association among fear of COVID‐19, psychological distress, and delays in cancer care

Cited by 43 publications

References 30 publications

Patients’ Experiences with Cancer Care: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Patients’ Experiences with Cancer Care: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Determinants of telemedicine adoption among financially distressed patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a nationwide study

The impact of COVID‐19 on cancer care of outpatients with low socioeconomic status

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About