Work

Intersecting challenges: Cancer caregivers’ experiences during COVID-19

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a landscape that contributed to many unknowns and unmet needs among cancer family caregivers and their care recipients. Aim: This secondary analysis qualitative study aimed to explore cancer family caregiver narratives for the societal and institutional contexts of caring for a person with advanced cancer during the early years of COVID-19. Design: Narrative inquiry was used in the parent study to co-create caregiver narratives. Methods: Narrative thematic analysis was used to identify themes of COVID-19 from five cancer caregiver narratives. Results: Thematic threads of COVID-19 were identified as short stories of tension woven throughout the caregiver narratives: advocacy for quality healthcare, the need to protect their person from the virus and medical/institutional disregard, financial strain, lack of social support, and the long goodbye. The findings further illustrate how COVID-19 and cancer intersect to influence a caregiver's healthcare experience and well-being. Conclusion: Family-centered care strategies and policy changes are needed to better meet the complex needs of cancer caregivers during a pandemic and beyond.

Source: Palliative Care and Social Practice

DOI: 10.1177/26323524251346226

Authors: Charlotte R. Weiss, Rachel Johnson-Koenke, Karen B. Hirschman

Institutions: University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Pennsylvania, University of Colorado Denver

Language: English

Topic: Nursing care and research

Subfield: Pharmacy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,000