Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34500498›Full record

ArticlePsycho-oncology2022

Experiences and needs of people with haematological cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

Nienke Zomerdijk, Michelle Jongenelis, Eva Yuen, Jane Turner, Kathryn Huntley, Andrew Smith, Megan McIntosh, Camille E Short

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Psycho-oncology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
19citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
3.0field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

19 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 38 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. The psychological effects of protective isolation on haematological stem cell transplant patients: an integrative, descriptive review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Review
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  13. Experiences of cancer care in COVID-19: A longitudinal qualitative study.European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society · 2022
    Article
  14. Perspectives of older women with early breast cancer on telemedicine during post-primary treatment.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022
    Article
  15. Patients' experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the change to telephone consultations in cancer care.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.

Nienke ZomerdijkMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5008-6429
Michelle JongenelisMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0717-1692
Eva YuenCentre for Quality and Patient Safety Research-Monash Health Partnership, Institute for Health Transformation Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7956-5797
Jane TurnerFaculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1438-217X
Kathryn HuntleyLeukaemia Foundation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1722-9920
Andrew SmithLeukaemia Foundation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9576-4817
Megan McIntoshFaculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0933-6718
Camille E ShortMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4177-4251
The University of Melbourne · AULeukaemia Foundation of Queensland · AUDeakin University · AUThe University of Queensland · AUUniversity of South Australia · AU

Funding

Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveHaematological cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. In addition to being immunocompromised, pandemic-related travel restrictions have impacted access to treatments and overseas stem cell donations for patients requiring transplantation. Given this vulnerability, people with haematological cancers are at risk of experiencing heightened distress during the pandemic. This study aimed to explore haematological cancer patients' experiences and needs.

methodsTwenty-four Australian haematological cancer patients completed semi-structured interviews exploring their concerns and worries during the pandemic, impact of pandemic on management of disease, access to information and support, lifestyle changes, and attitudes towards emerging models of healthcare during the pandemic. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed.

resultsFour themes reflecting the experiences of haematological cancer patients during the pandemic were identified: 'Fears about contracting COVID-19' (behaviour changes to protect health, impact on daily routine and habits, annoyance at dismissive attitude of others toward COVID-19); 'Reduced sense of connection and support' (reduced social support and access to external support services); 'New challenges' (increased financial hardship, worsened health), and; 'Underlying system and communication issues' (access to trusted information, satisfaction/dissatisfaction with care, navigating telehealth). Participants expressed a need for improved access to support services and trusted information.

conclusionsThe findings emphasise the additional challenges experienced by haematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on daily life. Results point to the importance of validation of increased distress during periods of uncertainty; reinforcing recommendations about high-quality sources of information; and facilitating access to support services when face-to-face care is limited.

Indexed as

COVID-19Hematologic NeoplasmsAustraliaHumansPandemicsSARS-CoV-2cancerCOVID-19 pandemichaematologyoncologypsycho-oncologyqualitative researchsupportive care

Identifiers

PMID34500498
PMCPMC8646676
OpenAlexW3196475629

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.