- Title
- The emotional impact of COVID-19 on Australian cancer patients, their caregivers, and oncology health professionals over time: A longitudinal qualitative study
- Creator
- Shaw, Joanne; Havard, Polly E.; Best, Megan; Butow, Phyllis; Dhillon, Haryana M.; Kelly, Brian; Beatty, Lisa; Juraskova, Ilona; Sharpe, Louise; Cigolini, Maria; Chan, Raymond J.; Kirsten, Laura
- Relation
- Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice Vol. 4, Issue 4, p. 1-9
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OR9.0000000000000090
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer Health
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2022
- Description
- Background: Cross-sectional research has highlighted the emotional impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in cancer communities. The aim of this study was to extend findings and to provide a longitudinal perspective of emotional effects of COVID-19 on a range of participants, including patients with cancer, their family members, and oncology health professionals (HPs) in Australia. Methods: This mixed-methods, longitudinal study incorporated semistructured interviews and psychological well-being survey data collected at three time points between June 2020 and October 2021. Results: Seventy-seven participants volunteered at time point 1 (T1; 32 patients, 16 caregivers, 29 HPs), 52 at timepoint 2 (23 patients, 10 caregivers, 19 HPs), and 43 at timepoint 3 (19 patients, 8 caregivers, 16 HPs). Overall, participants were psychologically well; however, elevated depressive symptoms were detected in HPs by timepoint 3. Qualitative results highlighted the emotional toll of COVID-19 for all participant groups over time. Three shared themes emerged: (1) balancing fear and safety, (2) uncertainty in an ever-changing situation, and (3) fatigue due to lack of support and sense of isolation. An additional theme unique to HPs was also identified: (4) a sense of dread for what is to come in an already exhausted workforce. Conclusion: Despite Australia's relatively low COVID-19 case numbers, an emotional toll on the cancer community was apparent. Longitudinal results indicate consistency of themes over time with the burden for HPs adding a theme by the third interview. Participants were challenged to balance needs of personal safety against cancer priorities in an environment of uncertainty and isolation. Over time, a sense of fatigue emerged, and for HPs, increased workloads left many feeling overwhelmed and unsupported with a sense of dread around future outcomes.
- Subject
- cancer; COVID-19; health service change; oncology; qualitative; SDG 3; Sustainable Development Goals
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1499671
- Identifier
- uon:54760
- Identifier
- ISSN:2637-5974
- Rights
- x
- Language
- eng
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