Table 3.
Themes and subthemes of optimization of cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 235 excerpts).
| Theme | Definition | Examples of Excerpts |
|---|---|---|
| Improving Healthcare Visits (37%) | ||
| Increased ability to make appointments in advance (flexible and responsible scheduling) | Descriptions of ways care could best be arranged or facilitated by healthcare providers | “Make it easier to contact doctors/nurses through email/video calls” |
| More virtual appointments | “Easier access to doctors regarding appointments and bookings so that calls don’t go weeks with no response” | |
| Providing care closer to home (decentralized care) | “Offers on-site therapy as well as telemedicine” | |
| Enhancing Personalized Care (18%) | ||
| Good communication from cancer organizations | Ideas about how their experience could be enhanced to support their wellbeing by healthcare teams | “Listen to us and do not ignore our symptoms” |
| Caring for and encouraging patients (compassion and validation) | “Continue to provide support services (as opposed to cancelling and closing most services during the pandemic)” | |
| Access to physical rehabilitation | ||
| Increased mental health supports | “Having access to support for mental health, coping, pain management” | |
| Improving Prevention of COVID-19 (15%) | ||
| Physical distancing | Suggestions on ways individuals and healthcare centers can prevent spreading or contracting COVID-19 | “We should not go to places where people gather. If we can not go out, we should not go out” “Reduce the number of visits to the hospital” |
| Use of protective equipment and practices | “Wash your hands frequently and wear a mask” | |
| Addressing Information Needs (13%) | ||
| COVID-19-specific information | Statements describing optimal ways to receive information related to cancer care, self-care, or how the COVID-19 pandemic affects them specifically as a population | “Reach out to cancer patients directly with information on how the pandemic affects our particular cases” |
| In-person and online mediums | “Provide digital resources or connections at home (e.g., how to stay healthy and active)” “Cancer organizations provide better care by including information on the site” |
|
| Avoiding Diagnostic and Treatment Delays (11%) | ||
| Delay in diagnosis Delay in treatment |
Statements highlighting the importance of not delaying diagnostic tests, appointments, and treatment protocols | “COVID should have NO impact on testing and treatment, and care providers should be very open about why appointments are being rescheduled” “Do not delay follow-up appointments, treatments, or exams” |