Patients’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the change to telephone consultations in cancer care

• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07390-y
• Publication Date: 2022-10-15T17:02:27Z
• Authors: Hanne Bødtcher; Katrine Vammen Li...; Dina Melanie Søre...; Elizabeth Rosted; Eva Kjeldsted; Helle Gert Christ...; Mads Nordahl Sven...; Linda Aagaard Tho...; Susanne Oksbjerg ...
• Keywords: Pandemic; Pain medicine; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Viral therapy

Abstract Purpose During the COVID-19 pandemic, teleconsultations have increasingly been used to reduce physical contact and thus risk of infection. This study investigated how patients with cancer experienced pandemic they perceived change from in-person consultations telephone in an oncology outpatient clinic. The aim was provide insights that could optimize future use care. Methods qualitative included 15 colorectal, breast, gynecological, lung, or prostate treated at clinic Department Clinical Oncology Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark June July 2020. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews analyzed by thematic analysis. Results Patients social, psychological, organizational consequences related their Not all comfortable consultations. Six themes identified: (1) double burden as a consequence simultaneous (2) parameters for patient satisfaction consultations, (3) importance relatives attending (4) loss information nuances during (5) impact physicians’ language communicative skills (6) patients’ suggestions Conclusion Beyond it is important hospitals offering involve preferences, consider which solution suitable, technology use, prepare relatives, physicians necessary skills.