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dc.contributor.authorEdge, Rhiannonen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMeyers, Joshen_AU
dc.contributor.authorTiernan, Gabriellaen_AU
dc.contributor.authorLi, Zhichengen_AU
dc.contributor.authorSchiavuzzi, Alexandraen_AU
dc.contributor.authorChan, Priscillaen_AU
dc.contributor.authorVassallo, Amyen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMorrow, Aprilen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMazariego, Carolynen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWakefield, Claire E.en_AU
dc.contributor.authorCanfell, Karenen_AU
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, Natalieen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-19T02:28:12Z
dc.date.available2021-10-19T02:28:12Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2123/26527
dc.description.abstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted cancer care worldwide. Disruptions have been seen across all facets of care. While the long-term impact of COVID-19 remains unclear, the immediate impacts on patients, their carers and the healthcare workforce are increasingly evident. This study describes disruptions and reorganisation of cancer services in Australia since the onset of COVID-19, from the perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare workers. Two separate online cross-sectional surveys were completed by: a) cancer patients, survivors, carers, family members or friends (n = 852) and b) healthcare workers (n = 150). Descriptive analyses of quantitative survey data were conducted, followed by inductive thematic content analyses of qualitative survey responses relating to cancer care disruption and perceptions of telehealth. Overall, 42% of cancer patients and survivors reported experiencing some level of care disruption. A further 43% of healthcare workers reported atypical delays in delivering cancer care, and 50% agreed that patient access to research and clinical trials had been reduced. Almost three quarters (73%) of patients and carers reported using telehealth following the onset of COVID-19, with high overall satisfaction. However, gaps were identified in provision of psychological support and 20% of participants reported that they were unlikely to use telehealth again. The reorganisation of cancer care increased the psychological and practical burden on carers, with hospital visitation restrictions and appointment changes reducing their ability to provide essential support. COVID-19 has exacerbated a stressful and uncertain time for people affected by cancer and healthcare workers. Service reconfiguration and the adoption of telehealth have been essential adaptations for the pandemic response, offering long-term value. However, our findings highlight the need to better integrate psychosocial support and the important role of carers into evolving pandemic response measures. Learnings from this study could inform service improvements that would benefit patients and carers longer-term.en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_AU
dc.subjectCoronavirusen_AU
dc.titleCancer care disruption and reorganisation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A patient, carer and healthcare worker perspectiveen_AU
dc.typeArticleen_AU
dc.identifier.doi10.1371/journal.pone.0257420


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