Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of healthcare, impacting various sectors, including cancer survivorship. As practitioners, it's crucial to adapt and enhance our skills to meet the evolving needs of cancer survivors. The systematic rapid living review titled Systematic rapid living review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors: update to August 27, 2020 offers insights into the pandemic's impact on cancer survivors, providing a foundation for practitioners to refine their approaches.
Key Findings from the Review
The review synthesizes literature published up to August 27, 2020, highlighting the pandemic's effects on the physical, psychosocial, and financial wellbeing of cancer survivors. Here are some key findings:
- Physical Wellbeing: The pandemic has led to delays in routine surveillance and follow-up care, increasing anxiety and potentially impacting the quality of life for cancer survivors.
- Psychosocial Wellbeing: Social isolation and the transition to telehealth have heightened anxiety and distress among survivors, emphasizing the need for enhanced psychosocial support.
- Financial Wellbeing: Economic hardships have disproportionately affected cancer survivors, exacerbating financial toxicity and impacting their overall health-related quality of life.
Implementing Research Outcomes
As practitioners, we can leverage the insights from this review to improve our skills and better support cancer survivors. Here are some actionable strategies:
- Embrace Telehealth: The shift to telehealth is inevitable. Practitioners should invest in training to effectively deliver care remotely, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive support despite physical distancing measures.
- Enhance Psychosocial Support: Develop programs that address the psychosocial needs of survivors, incorporating mental health support and social connectivity to mitigate the effects of isolation.
- Address Financial Concerns: Collaborate with financial advisors and social workers to provide resources and guidance to survivors facing economic challenges, helping them navigate financial stressors.
Encouraging Further Research
The review underscores the need for further research to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on cancer survivors. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in or support research initiatives that explore:
- The efficacy of telehealth in delivering cancer survivorship care.
- The psychosocial impacts of prolonged social isolation on survivors.
- Strategies to mitigate financial toxicity among cancer survivors.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, but it also offers an opportunity for practitioners to innovate and enhance their skills. By embracing change and implementing research outcomes, we can better support cancer survivors in navigating the complexities of post-pandemic healthcare. For those interested in delving deeper into the original research, please follow this link: Systematic rapid living review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors: update to August 27, 2020.
