The Impact of the Early COVID-19 Global Pandemic on Children Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment and Their Parents

Author:

Tran Andrew1,Hou Sharon H. J.12,Forbes Caitlin1,Cho Sara1,Forster Victoria J.3ORCID,Stokoe Mehak1,Wakefield Claire E.45ORCID,Wiener Lori6ORCID,Heathcote Lauren C.7,Michel Gisela8ORCID,Patterson Pandora910,Reynolds Kathleen1112,Schulte Fiona S. M.111ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

2. Department of Psychology, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada

3. Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada

4. School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

5. Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia

6. Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA

7. Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK

8. Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland

9. Research, Evaluation and Policy Unit, Canteen Australia, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia

10. Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

11. Long Term Survivor’s Clinic, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada

12. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

Abstract

(1) Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted people worldwide with unique implications for vulnerable groups. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the impact of the early pandemic on children undergoing active cancer treatment and their parents. (2) Methods: In May 2020, 30 parents of children undergoing active cancer treatment completed an online survey regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their child’s cancer care, perceived utility of telemedicine, and child and parent mental health status. (3) Results: Most participants (87%) reported that they did not experience any changes to major cancer treatments. Among those who reported using telemedicine, 78% reported this to be beneficial. Over half of the participants reported that their child’s mental health status was worse now than prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Parent-reported child anxiety scores were significantly higher for those who reported changes to mental health care for their child compared to those who did not report the same, t(25.99) = −3.04, p = 0.005. (4) Conclusion: Child and parent mental health status were affected when compared to pre-pandemic. Telemedicine appears to be a promising complement to face-to-face meetings for some families and warrants further exploration.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Reference65 articles.

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