Learning from experiences, wishes and needs of non-covid metastatic colorectal cancer outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic, a mixed method study

Everlien de Graaf, Sita de Vries, Mary Joan Verhoef, GM Hesselmann, Ellen de Nijs, Yvette M. Van Der Linden, Saskia C.C.M. Teunissen

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting AbstractAcademic

Abstract

Background: Outpatient hospital care for patients with metastatic cancer has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appointments and treatment may have been cancelled or postponed, and consultations took place via telephone or video calls to maintain patient contact. These extraordinary circumstances might reveal patients’ needs and wishes and preferences more clearly. Aim: To explore the experiences, wishes and needs of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer without COVID-19 who are faced with changes in the hospital outpatient care provision due to covid-19 pandemic. Methods: An explanatory, sequential mixed-methods cohort study comprising three parts is conducted from April 2020 - January 2021. 1) A quantitative study to gain insight into the changes in care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2) A quantitative study to explore experiences, wishes and needs concerning the provided care and the contact with caregiver. 3) An explanatory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to discuss experiences, wishes and needs more in-depth and reflect on the results from the quantitative studies. A cohort of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is enrolled for part 1 & 2. For part 3, a purposive sample of patients is drawn based on maximum variation in gender, age, phase of illness, care needs and changes in care and treatment. Data are analyzed using descriptive statistics (part 1&2) and thematic analysis (part 3). Results: In total 640/3247 patients had metastatic colorectal cancer and 248/640 indicated to worry about a possible COVID-19 infection and consequences. In 20% of patients, their care is temporarily put on hold, changed in video or teleconsulting or postponed. In part 2&3, the experiences, needs, wishes and care preferences of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer will be further explored and explained in depth. Conclusion: The results can be used to improve person-centered cancer care
Original languageEnglish
Article numberLBA-COV-020
JournalPalliative Medicine
Volume34
Issue numberSuppl_1
Publication statusPublished - 21 Sept 2020
EventEAPC World Research Congress 2020 - online
Duration: 7 Oct 20209 Oct 2020

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