Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2020
STRESS AND SYMPTOM BURDEN IN ONCOLOGY PATIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
No information is available on oncology patients' level of stress and symptom burden during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. ⋯ We identified alarmingly high rates of stress and an extraordinarily high symptom burden among patients with cancer, exceeding those previously benchmarked in this population and on par with noncancer patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic will likely impact cancer care for an indefinite period, clinicians must exhibit increased vigilance in their assessments of patients' level of stress and symptom burden. Moreover, an increase in referrals to appropriate supportive care resources must be prioritized for high-risk patients.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2020
"Definitely Mixed Feelings:" The effect of COVID-19 on bereavement in parents of children who died from cancer.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted most elements of daily life, including the provision of support after a child's death and the experience of parental bereavement. ⋯ Parents identified multiple and variable ways-both positive, negative, and neutral-how COVID-19 has affected their bereavement. Many parents commented on feeling more isolated because of the inability to connect with family or attend in-person support groups, whereas others acknowledged their experience has made them uniquely positioned to cope with the uncertainty of the current situation. Clinicians must find innovative ways to connect with and support bereaved parents during this unique time.
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