Exploring Experiences Among People Diagnosed With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

H Legge; K Toohey; P S Kavanagh; C Paterson

doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151508

Exploring Experiences Among People Diagnosed With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Semin Oncol Nurs. 2023 Dec;39(6):151508. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151508. Epub 2023 Oct 11.

Authors

H Legge¹, K Toohey², P S Kavanagh³, C Paterson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT, Australia.
² Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT, Australia; Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
³ Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT, Australia; Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Magill SA, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT, Australia; Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Australia; Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide; Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: catherine.paterson@canberra.edu.au.

PMID: 37827903
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151508

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the experiences of people diagnosed with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data sources: Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted with people affected by cancer in the Australian context. Following institutional ethical approval, interviews were conducted over Microsoft Teams and Zoom platforms and complied with confidentiality requirements. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed, and emergent themes were developed using thematic analysis to understand patient experiences of cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was disruptive to the daily experiences of supportive care. Four overarching themes were identified related to: 1) the impact on accessing healthcare services, 2) encounters with healthcare professionals, 3) the impact on daily living, and 4) the impact of COVID on psychological well-being.

Implications for nursing practice: As the COVID-19 pandemic held global consequences on cancer practices, it is recommended that nursing and other multidisciplinary healthcare professionals reflect upon these findings, in the context of planning for future pandemics. We encourage further exploration into the sustainability of telehealth services universally, given the issues highlighted in this study.

Keywords: Accessibility; COVID-19; Cancer; Supportive care; Sustainability; Telehealth.

MeSH terms

Australia / epidemiology
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Health Personnel
Humans
Neoplasms*
Pandemics