The benefits and consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic for patients diagnosed with cancer and their family caregivers

Abstract

Background The objectives of this study were to examine benefits and consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic for patients diagnosed with cancer and their family caregivers. Methods A 23‐item questionnaire assessing COVID‐19‐related issues, the Patient Health Questionnaire‐2, Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐2, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)‐4 were administered to patients diagnosed with cancer and their family caregivers. Results Of the 161 patients and 78 caregivers who participated, 38.1% and 32.8 were male, 95% and 84.6% Caucasian, and the mean age was 66 and 64.6 years, respectively. A total of 16.5% and 15.2% reported depressive symptoms, 18.4% and 19% reported anxiety; 35.5% and 26.6% reported poor sleep quality, and 66% and 63.3% scored one standard deviation above the norms for the PSS, respectively. Predictors of poorer patient‐ and caregiver‐reported outcomes included greater loneliness, worry about self or family being infected by the COVID‐19, and worsening relationships with family. The fear of COVID‐19 led to 20.8% of patients and 24.4% of family caregivers cancelling medical appointments, procedures, and treatments. A total of 52.5% of patients and 53.2% caregivers reported that the pandemic led to benefit finding but these changes were not associated with any of the measured patient‐ or caregiver‐related outcomes. Conclusions Psychological functioning for patients and caregivers was similar to that of pre‐pandemic levels, however the decrease in health care utilization secondary to fear of COVID‐19 was notable. While there were many negative effects of the pandemic, the majority of patients and caregivers reported some benefit to the pandemic.

COVID-19 impact on an oncologic emergency department visits: observational study

“…Furthermore, the fear of COVID-19 in patients combined with sudden and forced isolation was a difficult challenge during the pandemic. A study focused on the psychological impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer and caregivers showed an increased level of depression, anxiety, stress and poorer sleep quality with loneliness as a significant predictor factor 25. When an UE occurred during lockdown, patients with cancer may thus have dreaded complications related to cancer and have been tempted to visit the ED.…”

“…with loneliness as a significant predictor factor. 25 When an UE occurred during lockdown, patients with cancer may thus have dreaded complications related to cancer and have been tempted to visit the ED.…”

A Mixed-Method Examination of Emerging and Young Adult Cancer Caregivers’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In other studies examining the impact of the COVID-19 on caregiving, caregivers also reported pandemic-induced togetherness as a benefit [ 18 , 37 ]. However, increased opportunities for communal coping could have been particularly beneficial for EYACs, as they are more likely than caregivers in other age groups to rely on maladaptive coping strategies and may have needed more support due to the non-normative nature of their caregiving experiences [ 14 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…One issue EYACs often face when caring for a parent with cancer is a lack of information sharing within their family. Parents diagnosed with cancer are known to withhold information about their illness from their adult children in an attempt to reduce their distress, despite relying on them to engage in care tasks and support the navigation of disease progression [ 18 , 19 ]. This fragmented flow of information can limit EYACs’ ability to engage in communal coping, an interpersonal process where coping resources are shared between caregivers and close contacts (e.g., the patient, family members).…”

“…Considering the additional burdens placed on cancer caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that EYACs who cared for and lost a parent to advanced cancer during this period experienced significant psychosocial impacts that are still salient after their parents’ death. While negative impacts are probable, several studies of pandemic caregivers in other age groups identified a number of perceived benefits of caregiving during the pandemic [ 18 ], including perceived improvements in caregivers’ health behaviors, spirituality, and family relationships and communication [ 18 , 19 ]. The purpose of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected EYACs’ experiences of caring for and losing a parent with advanced cancer and to identify differences from the experiences of EYACs with a parent who died before the start of the pandemic.…”