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"I have cancer during COVID; that's a special category": a qualitative study of head and neck cancer patient and provider experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Source :
- Supportive Care in Cancer; May2022, Vol. 30 Issue 5, p4337-4344, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed cancer care delivery strategies. Patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LA-HNC) may be particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they often undergo treatments that require daily clinic visits (e.g., radiation therapy). The goal of this study was to characterize the lived experience of LA-HNC patients and their healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: LA-HNC patients who completed a full course of chemotherapy and radiation therapy during the COVID19 pandemic (N = 20) and LA-HNC healthcare providers (N = 13) participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for qualitative themes. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on patients' overall quality of life and health care. Results were organized in four main themes: (1) increased psychological distress; (2) exacerbated social isolation; (3) added stress in clinic for patients and providers; and (4) delays in health care. Conclusions: Findings highlight myriad ways LA-HNC patients and providers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results can inform the development of supportive interventions to assist LA-HNC in managing COVID-19-related stress and unmet needs related to social isolation and in-clinic support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HEAD tumors
COVID-19 pandemic
NECK tumors
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09414355
- Volume :
- 30
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Supportive Care in Cancer
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 155913091
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06773-x