Experiences of people affected by cancer during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory qualitative analysis of public online forums

Autor: Marilyn J. Hammer, Karin Ribi, Mary E. Cooley, Hayley J. Dunnack, Manuela Eicher, Sara Colomer-Lahiguera, Christine Miaskowski
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Medical and Health Sciences
Disease Outbreaks
03 medical and health sciences
Social support
0302 clinical medicine
7.1 Individual care needs
Neoplasms
Germany
Qualitative research
Pandemic
Medicine
Humans
Cancer care
Narrative
030212 general & internal medicine
Economic impact analysis
Oncology & Carcinogenesis
Cancer
Experience
Medical education
Internet
business.industry
Nursing research
Communication
Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Social Support
COVID-19
medicine.disease
United States
United Kingdom
COVID-19/epidemiology
COVID-19/psychology
Germany/epidemiology
Ireland/epidemiology
Neoplasms/therapy
Qualitative Research
United Kingdom/epidemiology
United States/epidemiology
Oncology
Good Health and Well Being
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Original Article
The Internet
Management of diseases and conditions
business
Ireland
Zdroj: Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, vol 29, iss 9
Supportive care in cancer, vol. 29, no. 9, pp. 4979-4985
Supportive Care in Cancer
Popis: Purpose Studies focusing on patients with and survivors of cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight unique psychological and behavioral challenges. These findings were obtained in surveys using self-report questionnaires with pre-specified response options that may not capture the broad range of experiences of individuals affected by cancer, including people with cancer and informal caregivers, in this unprecedented situation. Online forums produce a large amount of valuable first-hand user-generated content that can be used to better understand their day-to-day lives. This study, based on the analysis of narratives in cancer online forums, aims to describe and categorize the experiences of people affected by cancer during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method An inductive, descriptive, thematic approach was applied to publicly available cancer forums from Germany, the USA, the UK, and Ireland posted between mid-March and mid-April 2020. Results An analysis of the content of 230 main posts revealed three major themes: (1) concerns related to the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, the risks and fears of getting infected, logistic issues, and economic impact; (2) adaptation challenges faced at the individual and societal level; and (3) the need for advice including information about COVID-19 and the (self-)management of cancer symptoms and treatment. Conclusion Our qualitative description of the experiences of people affected by cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak can help to improve communication, education, and the development of supportive care strategies. Furthermore, the themes and subthemes identified could potentially inform item development for future self-report questionnaires.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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