School of Kinesiology, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC V2R 0N3, Canada.
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Curr Oncol. 2023 Feb 22;30(3):2598-2612. doi: 10.3390/curroncol30030198.
Supportive care programming helps many adults affected by cancer manage concerns related to their disease. Public health restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have undoubtedly changed the nature of supportive care programming delivery. Yet, access to supportive care programming and comfort gathering through the pandemic are unknown. As a first step towards informing ongoing supportive care programming for adults affected by cancer, this observational, mixed methods study described supportive care programming access through the COVID-19 pandemic and comfort returning to in-person supportive care programming as restrictions eased. Adults affected by cancer ( = 113; mean age = 61.9 ± 12.7 years; 68% female) completed an online survey, and descriptive statistics were computed. A purposeful sample of survey participants ( = 12; mean age = 58.0 ± 14.5 years; 58% female) was subsequently recruited to complete semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Less than half (41.6%) of the survey sample reported accessing supportive care programming during the pandemic, and of those who had accessed supportive care programming, most (65.6%) perceived similar or greater access than pre-pandemic. During interviews, participants described the ways online delivery enhanced their access and reduced barriers to supportive care programming. However, physical activity programming was described as challenging to navigate online. With restrictions easing, most of the survey sample (56.6%) reported being apprehensive about returning to in-person supportive care programming and identified the protocols that would make them feel safe to gather. During interviews, participants recounted struggling to balance their need for social connection with their health and safety. This study provides evidence to inform supportive care programming for adults affected by cancer through the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest online delivery can enhance access to some types of supportive care programming for some adults affected by cancer, and that efforts are needed to ensure all adults affected by cancer feel comfortable gathering in-person.
支持性护理计划有助于许多受癌症影响的成年人应对与疾病相关的问题。COVID-19 大流行期间实施的公共卫生限制无疑改变了支持性护理计划的交付性质。然而，在大流行期间，支持性护理计划和舒适感的获取途径仍不得而知。为了为受癌症影响的成年人提供持续的支持性护理计划，本观察性混合方法研究描述了在 COVID-19 大流行期间获取支持性护理计划的途径，以及随着限制的放宽，舒适感重新回归面对面支持性护理计划。受癌症影响的成年人（n=113；平均年龄=61.9±12.7 岁；68%为女性）完成了在线调查，并计算了描述性统计数据。随后，从调查参与者中抽取了一个有目的的样本（n=12；平均年龄=58.0±14.5 岁；58%为女性）来完成半结构化访谈。使用反思性主题分析对访谈进行分析。调查样本中不到一半（41.6%）的人报告在大流行期间获得了支持性护理计划，而在获得支持性护理计划的人中，大多数（65.6%）认为获得的支持性护理计划与大流行前相似或更多。在访谈中，参与者描述了在线交付方式如何增强他们获取支持性护理计划的机会并减少障碍。然而，有人描述说，体育活动计划在线上难以进行。随着限制的放宽，调查样本中的大多数（56.6%）报告对返回面对面支持性护理计划感到担忧，并确定了让他们感到安全聚集的协议。在访谈中，参与者讲述了他们在平衡社交需求与健康和安全之间的困难。本研究为 COVID-19 大流行期间为受癌症影响的成年人提供支持性护理计划提供了证据。研究结果表明，在线交付方式可以增强某些类型的支持性护理计划对某些受癌症影响的成年人的获取机会，并且需要努力确保所有受癌症影响的成年人都感到舒适地进行面对面的聚集。
